Effect of selected metal ions on the motility and carbohydrate metabolism of ejaculated human spermatozoa.

Zinc, lead and cadmium in the form of chloride salts when added to a standard assay system containing 80 X 10(-6) ejaculated washed human spermatozoa caused a dose and duration-dependent inhibition of their motility. The activity of certain key enzymes of carbohydrate and energy metabolism, viz, glycogen phosphorylase, glucose-6-phosphatase, fructose-1, 6-diphosphatase, glucose-6-phosphate isomerase, amylase, Mg2+- dependent ATPase and lactic and succinic acid dehydrogenases were also found to be inhibited. The order of inhibitory effects of the heavy metals were zinc less than lead less than cadmium. The metal chelating agent, ethylene diamine tetra-acetic acid (EDTA, disodium salt) also interfered with the spermatozoal motility and inhibited the enzyme activities.