Enhanced gamete interaction in the sperm penetration assay after coincubation with pentoxifylline and human follicular fluid.

OBJECTIVE

To evaluate the effect of pentoxifylline and heat-inactivated human follicular fluid (FF) on performance in the sperm penetration assay (SPA) as a paradigm for the effect of these agents on human sperm-egg interaction in vivo and in vitro fertilization.

DESIGN

Semen specimens from men undergoing SPA testing for evaluation of suspected male factor infertility were coincubated with neat medium or media supplemented with pentoxifylline or human FF in a nonblinded manner.

PARTICIPANTS

Twenty male factor infertility patients.

INTERVENTIONS

Semen specimens were preincubated with: [1] pentoxifylline 0.25 mg/mL; [2] 10% human FF; [3] pentoxifylline+human FF; and [4] neat Biggers, Whitten, and Whittingham medium.

MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES

Differences in the rate of penetration of zona-free hamster oocytes.

RESULTS

Preincubation with either human FF or pentoxifylline produced a significant improvement in hamster egg penetration rates. Coincubation with a combination of human FF and pentoxifylline resulted in a significant enhancement of penetration as compared with single agent treatment.

CONCLUSIONS

Coincubation of sperm with human FF and pentoxifylline may provide a means of enhancing sperm activity for insemination and assisted reproduction.