A potential supplemental indication of dipyridamole for contraception: Dipyridamole inhibits mouse sperm fertilization capacity in vitro.
Journal:
Biochemical and biophysical research communications
PMID:
40233437
Abstract
The inhibition of sperm cAMP and ATP levels, using an FDA-approved medication, may impair sperm motility and, consequently, fertilization, thus paving the way for the development of a male contraceptive. The objective of this study was to define the potential impact of dipyridamole (Persantine®) on sperm functions. Spermatozoa collected from mature Swiss albino mice were incubated for up to 7 h with dipyridamole concentrations of 0, 2.5, or 25 μg/mL. Computer-assisted sperm motion analysis showed that dipyridamole inhibited sperm motility and progressive motility (P < 0.003), as well as average path velocity, straight-line velocity, curvilinear velocity, and amplitude of lateral head displacement (P < 0.01), in a dose- and time-dependent manner. Sperm levels of cAMP and ATP showed similar patterns of decline (P < 0.02). Dipyridamole also inhibited sperm capacity to produce 2-4 cell embryos and blastocysts (P < 0.0001). Dipyridamole inhibited sperm motility, fertilization, and levels of ATP and cAMP at 2.5 μg/mL concentration, which is similar to those concentrations observed in pharmacokinetic studies of men taking dipyridamole therapeutic doses of 150-200 mg once or twice daily. These results suggest that dipyridamole at therapeutic doses could have contraceptive or adverse effects in men if the medication produces similar inhibitory effect on human sperm functions. Currently, however, there have been no reports of contraceptive or adverse effects in men taking dipyridamole, although it is possible that most men are past the normal reproductive age when taking this antiplatelet medication.