Cytotoxic effect of Quinidine on testicular tissues, sperm parameters and Ca2+ level in mice sperms; as an option of male contraception

Abstract

Recently,  there  is developing  of  a  new  approach  push  of  male  contraception,  based  on  targeting  specific  processes  in  sperm development, maturation, and function by using quinidine as a one of calcium channel blocker.The effect of antimalarial alkaloids Quinidine (QD) investigated in the testicular tissue, Ca²⁺ level and some sperm parameters in male mice. To evaluate the impact of QD as a Ca²⁺ channel blocker on Ca²⁺ level, the sperms are exposed to QD directly at concentration 10 and 50 µm through perfusion apparatus have a multiple connecting tubes which perfuse QD directly to the imaging chamber containing sperms, then the Ca²⁺ imaging have done by using laser scanning fluorescence microscope. While the effects of QD on the sperm parameters (motility, abnormality and death percentages) observed by incubation sperms in chambers containing QD at 500 µm for 2 hours. The result showed a significant decrease (p<0.05) in sperm motility, with an increase in abnormality and death percentages with reversible recovery after Hanks Solution (HS) wash at pH 7.4.On the other hand the sperms were incubated in QD at concentrations 10, 50 µm from 2 to 14 hours respectively, have no any changes on in these sperm parameters and testicular tissues at these lower concentration of QD. Although the effects were apparent on sperm parameters after incubation with QD at 500 µm for 2 hours. Histology disturbance was significantly increased after incubation of testis tissue for 14 hours with QD at Concentration 500µm as compared to control. The changes caused by QD only recovered on sperm parameters and Ca²⁺ level after washing the sperm with Hanks solution medium (HS) medium containing 2mM Ca²⁺ at pH 7.4. So under the exposure to QD, the inhibitory effect on fertility parameters of mouse's sperms are reversible due to Hanks (HS) supplementation, but there is no recovery determined in testicular tissues treated by QD even when it washed by HS supplementation.

Keywords: Male Fertility, Testis, Sperms, Calcium Blockers, Male Contraception