Effects of angiotensins on the motility of human sperm.

Abstract

The effects of angiotensins on the motility of highly washed human sperm were examined by .apprx. multiple exposure photography system. The addition of low doses (0.1-10 ng/ml) of angiotensin II (AT II) stimulated the forward velocity of sperm without increasing the percentage of motility. A high concentration (1.0 .mu.g/ml) of AT II suppressed the motility. The direct effect of angiotensin I on the motility was observed under the presence of SQ 14225 [D-3-mercapto-2-methylpropanoyl-L-proline], a specific inhibitor of angiotensin I converting enzyme (ACE). AT I (0.1-100 ng/ml) had no influence on the motility, whereas a high dose (1.0 .mu.g/ml) suppressed the motility in the same manner as the corresponding dose of AT II. The action of AT II on the motility was completely suppressed under the coexistense of saralasin, a specific antagonist against AT II. The action of AT II on the sperm was evidently through the specific receptor on sperm.