International Conference on Earth, Environment and Life sciences (EELS-2014) Dec.

23-24, 2014 Dubai (UAE)

In vitro Effects of Propranolol on

Human Sperm Motility
Ahmadi R, Hajighorbani M*, and MasaeeManesh M.B.

motility: 50% or more with forward progression (categories a

and b) or 25% or more with rapid progression (category a)
within 60 minutes of ejaculation, morphology: 30% or more
with normal forms, vitality: 75% or more live,i.e.,excluding
dye, white blood cells: fewer than 1x106/ml, immunobead test:
fewer than 20% spermatozoa with adherent particles, MAR
test: fewer than 10% spermatozoa with adherent particles).(
Optional testsGlucosidase.neutral.: 20 mU or more per
ejaculate, zinc.total.: 2.4 mol or more per ejaculate, citric
acid.total.: 52 mol or more per ejaculate, acid
phosphatase.total.: 200 U or more per ejaculate fructose.total.:
13 mol or more per ejaculate)
Normal semen is an admixture of spermatozoa suspended in
secretions from the testis and epididymus which are mixed at
the time of ejaculation with secretions from the prostate,
seminal vesicles, and bulbourethral glands. The final
composition is a viscous fluid that comprises the ejaculate [3].
Sperm motility describes the ability of sperm to move properly
through the female reproductive tract (internal fertilization) or
through water (external fertilization) to reach the egg. Sperm
motility can also be thought of as the quality, which is a factor
in successful conception.Sperm movement is activated by
changes in intracellular ion concentration. The changes in ion
concentration that provoke motility are different among
species. The change in cell volume which alters intracellular
ion concentration can also contribute to the activation of sperm
motility:
1)a central skeleton constructed of 11 microtubules
collectively termed the axoneme and similar to the equivalent
structure found in cilia
2)a thin cell membrane covering the axoneme
3)mitochondria arranged spirally around it the axoneme
have classified sperm motility under two categories only:
a) progressive motility (PR)
b) non progressive motility (NP) [4]
British scientist James W. Black successfully developed
propranolol in the 1960[5]. Propranolol is a sympatholytic
nonselective beta blocker. Sympatholytics are used to treat
hypertension, anxiety, and panic. It was the first successful beta
blocker developed[6]. Propranolol is available in generic form
as propranolol hydrochloride.It is on the World Health
Organization's List of Essential Medicines, a list of the most
important medications needed in a basic health system [7].
Propranolol is a nonselective beta blocker, that is, it blocks the
action of epinephrine and norepinephrine on both 1- and
2-adrenergic receptors. It has little intrinsic sympathomimetic
activity, but has strong membrane stabilizing activity (only at
high blood concentrations, e.g. overdosage). Propranolol has

Abstract---Sperms are haploid cells when fertilize an oocyte the

egg is formed and a new life is started. Nowadays, infertility coming
from incapability of male system, particularly from sperm disorder is
very common. Some types of sperm disorders may result from the
medications used by human. The main aim of this was to investigate
the in vitro effects of propranolol on human sperm motility. Different
concentration of propranolol were prepared and human semen
samples were exposed to propranolol solution and the sperm count
and motility was examined using routine laboratory method. The
results showed that propranolol caused decreased motility of sperms
with dose dependent pattern, i.e., the more concentarion of
propranolol applied, the more decrease in sperm motility occurred. In
conclusion, propranolol has a potential to impair sperm count and
motility, so, this aspect of the drug should be considered in patients
using propranolo.

Keywords--- Propranolol, Human Sperm, Motility.

I. INTRODUCTION

PERMATOZOA were first described by Leeuwenhoek in

the 17th century but it was not until 1928 that the sperm
count was found to be associated with fertility potential [1].
The mammalian sperm cell consists of a head, a midpiece and a
tail. The midpiece has a central filamentous core with many
mitochondria spiralled around it, used for ATP production for
the journey through the female cervix, uterus and uterine tubes.
The tail or "flagellum" executes the lashing movements that
propel the spermatocyte The tail or "flagellum" executes the
lashing movements that propel the spermatocyte.During
fertilization, the sperm provides three essential parts to the
oocyte: (1) a signalling or activating factor, which causes the
metabolically dormant oocyte to activate: (2) the haploid
paternal genome: (3) the centrosome, which is responsible for
maintaining the microtubule system. [2]. Sperm cells are
carried out of the male body in a fluid known as semen Normal
values of semen parameters issued by the World Health
Organisation (WHO) in 1992 are generally used as reference
values.( Standard tests- volume: 2.0 ml or more, pH: 7.2-8.0,
sperm concentration: 20x106 spermatozoa/ml or more, total
sperm count: 40x106spermatozoa per ejaculate or more,
Rahim Ahmadi (PhD) is with the Department of Physiology, Faculty of Basic
Sciences, Islamic Azad University, Hamedan Branch, Hamedan, Iran. (e-mail:
Rahahmadi2012@yahoo.com).
Mahsa Hajighorbani (Msc student) is with the Department of Pharmaceutical
Chemistry, Faculty of Pharmaceutical Chemistry, Pharmaceutical Sciences
Branch, Tehran Iran (IAUPS) (e-mail: mahsa.hajighorbani@yahoo.com).
Mohammad Bagher MassaeeManesh (MSc student) is with the Department of
Physiology, Faculty of Basic Sciences, Islamic Azad University, Hamedan
Branch, Hamedan, Iran. (e-mail: M.B.MasaeeManesh@yahoo.com).

http://dx.doi.org/10.15242/IICBE.C1214109

18

International Conference on Earth, Environment and Life sciences (EELS-2014) Dec. 23-24, 2014 Dubai (UAE)
TABLE II
MOTILITY AND THE CLASSES OF SPERMS IN CONTROL AND EXPERIMENTAL
GROUPS.

inhibitory effects on the norepinephrine transporter and/or

stimulates norepinephrine release (the concentration of
norepinephrine is increased in the synapse)[8]. Since
propranolol blocks -adrenoceptors, the increase in synaptic
norepinephrine only results in -adrenergic activation, with the
1-adrenoceptor being particularly important for effects
observed in animal models. Therefore, it can be looked upon as
an indirect 1 agonist, as well as a antagonist. Probably
owing to the effect at the 1-adrenoceptor, the racemic and the
individual enantiomers of propranolol have been shown to
substitute for cocaine in rats, with the most potent enantiomer
being S-()-propranolol. In addition, some evidence suggests
propranolol may function as a partial agonist at one or more
serotonin receptors (possibly 5-HT1B). Both enantiomers of
the drug have a local anesthetic (topical) effect, which is
normally mediated by blockade of voltage-gated sodium
channels. Few studies have demonstrated propranolol's ability
to block cardiac, neuronal, and skeletal voltage-gated sodium
channels, accounting for its known "membrane stabilizing
effect" and antiarrhythmic and other central nervous system
effects[9]-[11]. The main aim of this study was to determine in
vitro effects of propranolol on human sperm count and motility.

Groups
Control
0.001mg/dl
propranolol
0.01mg/dl
propranolol
0.1mg/dl
propranolol

Motility
(%)
60
50

Class
A(%)
10
10

Class
B(%)
40
25

Class
C(%)
10
25

Class
D(%)
-

40

20

20

Our findings show that propranolol has inhibitory effects on

sperm motility with dose dependent pattern; that is, the more
concentarion of propranolol applied, the more decrease in
sperm motility occurred.
IV. DISCUSSION
We have shown that propranolol has inhibitory effects on
sperm motility. In line with our finding, there are other studies
indicating that propranolol has inhibitory effects on sperm
motility [12]. Both and adrenergic receptors which are
targets of propranolol have been identified on human
sperms.[13], [14]. It has been demonstrated that drugs able to
block adrenergic receptors interfere with sperm motility[15].
Adrenergic monoamines possibly modulate sperm motility by
both a calciumdependent and a cyclic nucleotidedependent
mechanism. Effect of adrenergic antagonists on fish sperms
indicate that propranolol affects fish sperm motility and causes
vesicle formation in sperms[16]. Propranolol is a blocker that
is used to treat tremors,angina, hypertension, heart rhythm
disorders, etc.[17]. The Disomer has the blocking activity
while the Lisomer has membrane stabilizing effect.
Propranolol also posseses local anesthetic activity of short
latency and fairly long duration. It is known to inhibit sperm
function/motility and sexual dysfunction[18]. These properties
make it an ideal candidate for development as a potential novel
spermicidal agent [19].

II. MATERIAL AND METHODS

In this experimental laboratory investigation, we used
propranolol solution (propranolol powder dissolved in serum
physiologic solution) to determine the effects of propranolol on
sperm motility. We prepared 4 samples as following:
Group 1: 1cc normal semen + 0.1mg/dl propranolol
Group 2: 1cc normal semen + 0.01 mg/dl propranolol
Group 3: 1cc normal semen + 0.001 mg/dl propranolol
Group 4 ( control group): 1cc normal semen+ serum
physiologic solution (50 lambda))
10 minutes after adding propranolol to semen sperm count
and motility was examined using routine laboratory method.
III. RESULTS
In all experimental groups, sperm count 10 minutes after
addition of propranolol was 150.000.000/ ml. There was no
significant difference between sperm count of experimental
groups and control group which consist of 150.000.000/ ml
sperm cell.
Table I shows the sperm motility in semen solution without
added drug or serum physiologic solution. Sperm count in this
solution was 150.000.000/ml.

V. CONCLUSION
We have shown that propranolol inhibit sperm motility in a
dose dependent manner. This property may make it a candidate
for development as a potential novel spermicidal agent.
ACKNOWLEDGMENT
We appreciate all who helped us to exert the present study.

TABLE I
SPERM COUNT IN SEMEN SOLUTION WITHOUT ADDED DRUG OR SERUM
PHYSIOLOGIC SOLUTION.
Groups
Motility
Class
Class
Class
Class
(%)
A(%)
B(%)
C(%)
D(%)
Normal Semen
60
10
40
10
40

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Table II shows the motility and the classes of sperms in

control and experimental groups.

http://dx.doi.org/10.15242/IICBE.C1214109

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