Effects of Alpha-Blocker on Daily Testicular Sperm Production and Sperm Concentration, Motility, Intraluminal Pressure and Fluid Movement in the Rat Epididymis.

Abstract

This study was undertaken to investigate whether alphablocker has an effect on daily testicular sperm production and epididymal sperm parameters, intraluminal pressure and fluid movement in the rat cauda epididymal tubules. Sprague-Dawley rats were given daily oral doses 1 mg/kg, 2 mg/kg, or 10 mg/kg of Bunazosin, which was a selective alpha-Blocker, for three months. Intraluminal fluids were collected from the cauda epididymidis using a micropuncture technique. Sperm concentration was determined with a sperm concentration microassay. Motility estimates were made by measurements of linear distance traveled by sperm in the diluent. Epididymal intraluminal pressure was measured through a micropunctured pipette connected to a micropressure transducer. Intraluminal fluid movement was examined by measurement of the distance which Sudan Black stained mineral oil moved along the epididymal tubules. Outside diameters of seminiferous and epididymal tubules were measured by light microscopy. Epididymal sperm concentrations were significantly increased after administration of alpha-Blocker. Progressive motility of spermatozoa was not significantly altered by alpha-blocker. Intraluminal pressures were significantly reduced and intraluminal fluid movement rates were significantly increased by alpha-blocker. Daily sperm production was significantly increased by alphablocker. Outside diameters of seminiferous and epididymal tubules were significantly distended when treated with alpha-blocker. These results demonstrate that alpha-blocker has an effect on spermatogenesis and sperm transport in the rat testis and epididymis.epididymis; sperm parameters; luminal pressure; flow rate; alpha-blocker Although many studies have revealed that the contractions of mammalian reproductive tracts are controlled by autonomic nerves (Risley and Skrepetos 1964; Hib 1976;Hib et al. 1982) and peristaltic contractility is considered to be the principle mechanism by which spermatozoa are moved through the epididymis

Effects of alpha1-adrenoceptor antagonist (tamsulosin) on incident of ejaculation and semen quality in the goat

“…Moreover, the alpha‐adrenoceptor antagonists, such as bunazosin, have been reported to decrease epididymis intraluminal pressure and increase intraluminal fluid movement rate. Bunazosin had an effect on sperm transport and storage in the rat testis and epididymis (Hibi et al ., ; Yamamoto et al ., ). The decrease in live spermatozoa percentage post‐TAM injection observed in this study may be due to modification of the epididymal epithelial lining, secretory function, absorptive function or on epididymal contraction.…”

Effects of sulphapyridine on sperm transport through the rat epididymis and contractility of the epididymal duct

“…However, tamsulosin which is an cx-adrenergic antagonist, has been demonstrated to induce antifertility (Ratnasooriya and Wadsworth, 1994). Another antagonist, bunazosin, was found to increase sperm concentration and intraluminal fluid movement in the cauda epididymidis while decreasing the epididymal intraluminal pressure in rats (Yamamoto et al, 1995). These reports led to the proposal that an abnormal transit time of spermatozoa in the epididymis is associated with male infertility.…”