Effects of estradiol and its antagonist tamoxifen on motility and metabolism of human spermatozoa.

Abstract

An investigation was conducted to evaluate the motility and metabolism of human spermatozoa incubated at 37 degrees Celsius for 3 hours in a krebs phosphate Ringer solution containing different concentrations of 17beta-estradiol and tamoxifen. 17beta-estradiol (17beta E2) stimulated significantly the motility of human spermatozoa. The oxidative metabolism and the intracellular ATP concentrations are enhanced with 10-20 mcg/ml of 17beta E2; the lactate production remains unchanged however. Tamoxifen, an antiestrogen, inhibited the motility of spermatozoa, and was toxic at high concentrations. Its effects on the energetic metabolism is dose-dependent; it increases the oxidative metabolism and decreases the lactate production and intracellular ATP at 3 mcg/ml.