A modified transmembrane migration method for evaluating the spermicidal potency of some nonoxynol compounds

Effects of lithium and haloperidol on human sperm motility in-vitro

Two psychotropic drugs, lithium and haloperidol, were evaluated for their in-vitro effects on sperm motility using a transmembrane migration method. Sperm motility was measured either immediately after semen had been mixed with the drug or after a 2 h incubation period at 37°C. Lithium inhibited human sperm motility in a dose-dependent manner with an EC50 of 10 Mm when the semen-lithium mixture had been incubated. Sperm motility was increased to 127% of control when semen had been incubated with 0027 μm haloperidol; this concentration was within the therapeutic range.

Beta-adrenoceptor antagonists and human sperm motility

Several beta-adrenoceptor blocking agents have been evaluated for spermicidal activity using a transmembrane migration method. The rank order of potency of the active compounds was: penbutolol greater than (+)-propranolol greater than bufuralol greater than (-)-alprenolol greater than oxprenolol greater than metoprolol. Atenolol, pindolol, practolol, tolamolol were without activity. The observed potencies of spermicidal activity are believed to be unrelated to beta-blocking activities, and we have shown that whilst they are not predictable from lipid solubility or nonspecific membrane properties of the compound alone, both these aspects appear to play a role in this pharmacological activity.