Antibiotics: effect on cryopreserved-thawed human sperm motility in vitro.

OBJECTIVE

To analyze the motility and fertilizing capacity of sperm treated with different antibiotics.

DESIGN

Prospective comparative study.

SETTING

Clinical and academic research environment.

PATIENT(S): Pooled cryopreserved donor sperm (n = 14).

INTERVENTION(S): Sperm were washed with Percoll and resuspended in HEPES-buffered human tubal fluid medium containing either amoxicillin, ofloxacin, ciprofloxacin hydrochloride, nitrofurantoin monohydrate, doxycycline hyclate, cefuroxime axetil, or control medium.

MAIN OUTCOME MEASURE(S): Sperm kinematic and fertilizing parameters.

RESULT(S): Sperm hyperactivation was decreased in physiologic concentrations of ciprofloxacin hydrochloride and doxycycline hyclate over the course of 48 hours. At pharmacologic concentrations, ciprofloxacin hydrochloride, cefuroxime axetil, and nitrofurantoin monohydrate adversely affected motility with decreased rapid progression. Cessation of motility occurred in cefuroxime axetil and nitrofurantoin monohydrate. Sperm hyperactivation was also absent. Cefuroxime axetil decreased the percentage of intact acrosomes. In contrast, physiologic doses of ciprofloxacin hydrochloride or ofloxacin enhanced sperm fertilizing capacity.

CONCLUSION(S): Ciprofloxacin affected hyperactivation by altering membrane properties, whereas doxycycline inhibited the capacitation process. Cessation of motility in cefuroxime axetil was linked to disrupted sperm head membranes. Sperm motility and fertilizing capacity were decreased in nitrofurantoin because of decreased metabolism. The positive effect of ofloxacin on fertilizing capacity did not involve changes in acrosome.