Abstract
The present study investigated effects of NOC-18 and TRIM on kinematic parameters of epididymal ram sperm in vitro. After incubation of epididymal sperm samples for 45 and 90 min in the presence of NOC-18 (0.0005, 0.5, and 500 µM) and TRIM (0.1, 10, and 1000 µM), motion parameters were evaluated by computer-aided sperm analysis. There was a significant increase in the fast progressive motility of sperm in the NOC-treated group at a 0.0005 μM. A significant decrease in immotility (at 45 min), BCF (at 45 min), and nonprogressive motility (at 90 min) in the NOC-treated sperm was observed when compared to controls. There was significant increase of the slow progressive (at 45 min) and nonprogressive motility and decrease of the fast progressive motility, VCL, VSL, VAP, ALH, MAD (at 90 min), and STR (at 90 min) of sperm in NOC-treated groups at a concentration of 500 μM as compared to controls. Different concentrations of TRIM appeared significant (p < 0.05) in reducing in the fast progressive motility, VSL, VCL, VAP, ALH, LIN, and STR of sperm compared to controls. There was also a significant (p < 0.05) decrease in WOB (in 1,000 µM of TRIM) and MAD (at 45 min, all concentrations of TRIM; 90 min, only in 0.1 and 10 µM of TRIM). Nonprogressive motility (45 min, all concentrations of TRIM; 90 min, only in 1,000 µM of TRIM), immotility (45 min, 10 µM of TRIM; 90 min, all concentrations of TRIM), and BCF parameters of sperm (all concentrations of TRIM) were significantly (p < 0.05) increased as compared to their controls. In conclusion, physiology of sperm motility in rams is affected by nitric oxide, although, exogenous NO does not increase sperm motility. Excess NO may initiate toxic conditions resulting in decreased sperm motility.
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This work was supported by funds granted by the Applied Research Centre, Vice Chancellor for Research of Islamic Azad University, Karaj branch. The authors would like to thank Ms. Farzaneh Touyeh for editing this manuscript.
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Hassanpour, H., Teshfam, M. & Goodarzi, A.K. Effects of NOC-18 (nitric oxide donor) and TRIM (nitric oxide synthase inhibitor) on kinematic parameters of ram epididymal sperm. Comp Clin Pathol 19, 487–491 (2010). https://doi.org/10.1007/s00580-009-0911-y
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DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s00580-009-0911-y