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Nitric oxide synthase and nitrite production in human spermatozoa: evidence that endogenous nitric oxide is beneficial to sperm motility. 1996

S E Lewis, and E T Donnelly, and E S Sterling, and M S Kennedy, and W Thompson, and U Chakravarthy
Department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology, Queen's University of Belfast, UK.

The aim of this study was to investigate the presence of nitric oxide synthase (NOS) and the production of nitric oxide (NO) by human spermatozoa. Immunoreactivity was examined using a polyclonal antibody raised against porcine cerebellar nitric oxide synthase and monoclonal endothelial (eNOS) and brain (bNOS) antibodies. Using each antibody, NOS was observed localized in the head and midpiece regions of the spermatozoon. Immunofluorescence observed for eNOS and bNOS was more intense in normozoospermic samples. Sperm motility was assessed by computer-assisted semen analysis (CASA) in the presence and absence of NG-nitro-L-arginine methyl ester (L-NAME; 10(-5)M), and NO synthesis inhibitor or tumour necrosis factor (TNF)-alpha (20 IU/ml), a superoxide inducer. In the presence of L-NAME, percentage progressive motility, average path velocity (VAP), straight line velocity (VSL) and curvilinear velocity (VCL) were significantly reduced after 30 min. Sperm viability was not decreased by TNF alpha or L-NAME. The accumulation of nitrite (the stable end-product of the NOS/NO pathway) by spermatozoa was measured using the Griess reaction. After 8 h, nitrite concentrations were lower in asthenozoospermic compared to normozoospermic samples. In the presence of TNF alpha, nitrite accumulation was significantly reduced in normozoospermic samples. We conclude that NOS is present in human spermatozoa and that eNOS and bNOS are abundant in normozoospermic samples. Nitric oxide (at endogenous concentrations) appears to be necessary for adequate sperm motility.

UI MeSH Term Description Entries
D007150 Immunohistochemistry Histochemical localization of immunoreactive substances using labeled antibodies as reagents. Immunocytochemistry,Immunogold Techniques,Immunogold-Silver Techniques,Immunohistocytochemistry,Immunolabeling Techniques,Immunogold Technics,Immunogold-Silver Technics,Immunolabeling Technics,Immunogold Silver Technics,Immunogold Silver Techniques,Immunogold Technic,Immunogold Technique,Immunogold-Silver Technic,Immunogold-Silver Technique,Immunolabeling Technic,Immunolabeling Technique,Technic, Immunogold,Technic, Immunogold-Silver,Technic, Immunolabeling,Technics, Immunogold,Technics, Immunogold-Silver,Technics, Immunolabeling,Technique, Immunogold,Technique, Immunogold-Silver,Technique, Immunolabeling,Techniques, Immunogold,Techniques, Immunogold-Silver,Techniques, Immunolabeling
D007248 Infertility, Male The inability of the male to effect FERTILIZATION of an OVUM after a specified period of unprotected intercourse. Male sterility is permanent infertility. Sterility, Male,Sub-Fertility, Male,Subfertility, Male,Male Infertility,Male Sterility,Male Sub-Fertility,Male Subfertility,Sub Fertility, Male
D008297 Male Males
D009569 Nitric Oxide A free radical gas produced endogenously by a variety of mammalian cells, synthesized from ARGININE by NITRIC OXIDE SYNTHASE. Nitric oxide is one of the ENDOTHELIUM-DEPENDENT RELAXING FACTORS released by the vascular endothelium and mediates VASODILATION. It also inhibits platelet aggregation, induces disaggregation of aggregated platelets, and inhibits platelet adhesion to the vascular endothelium. Nitric oxide activates cytosolic GUANYLATE CYCLASE and thus elevates intracellular levels of CYCLIC GMP. Endogenous Nitrate Vasodilator,Mononitrogen Monoxide,Nitric Oxide, Endothelium-Derived,Nitrogen Monoxide,Endothelium-Derived Nitric Oxide,Monoxide, Mononitrogen,Monoxide, Nitrogen,Nitrate Vasodilator, Endogenous,Nitric Oxide, Endothelium Derived,Oxide, Nitric,Vasodilator, Endogenous Nitrate
D009573 Nitrites Salts of nitrous acid or compounds containing the group NO2-. The inorganic nitrites of the type MNO2 (where M Nitrite
D004791 Enzyme Inhibitors Compounds or agents that combine with an enzyme in such a manner as to prevent the normal substrate-enzyme combination and the catalytic reaction. Enzyme Inhibitor,Inhibitor, Enzyme,Inhibitors, Enzyme
D006801 Humans Members of the species Homo sapiens. Homo sapiens,Man (Taxonomy),Human,Man, Modern,Modern Man
D000818 Animals Unicellular or multicellular, heterotrophic organisms, that have sensation and the power of voluntary movement. Under the older five kingdom paradigm, Animalia was one of the kingdoms. Under the modern three domain model, Animalia represents one of the many groups in the domain EUKARYOTA. Animal,Metazoa,Animalia
D000911 Antibodies, Monoclonal Antibodies produced by a single clone of cells. Monoclonal Antibodies,Monoclonal Antibody,Antibody, Monoclonal
D013081 Sperm Motility Movement characteristics of SPERMATOZOA in a fresh specimen. It is measured as the percentage of sperms that are moving, and as the percentage of sperms with productive flagellar motion such as rapid, linear, and forward progression. Motilities, Sperm,Motility, Sperm,Sperm Motilities

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