Effect of nitric oxide on mouse sperm hyperactivation.

Abstract

Nitric oxide (NO) has recently been found to function as an intra and extra cellular messenger by activating guanylate cyclase. Its role in sperm hyperactivation was examined by adding to the capacitating medium a classical donor of NO (Sodium nitroprusside, NP) in two different concentrations (150 microM and 300 microM). In both treatments, the percentage of motile cells was evaluated, showing a significant decrease on motility and viability at 90 and 120 minutes when sodium nitroprusside was used in a concentration of 300 microM; no modifications were observed with 150 microM. The effect obtained with 300 microM of sodium nitroprusside was avoided by hemoglobin (20 micrograms/ml), a scavenger of the NO. The percentage of hyperactivated spermatozoa in the presence of 300 microM sodium nitroprusside increased significantly more than the control during the first 30 and 60 minutes of capacitation; but with 150 microM sodium nitroprusside a significant increase was observed at 60 and 90 minutes of incubation. Thus, the data strongly suggests that nitric oxide plays an important role in sperm hyperactivation "in vitro".