Role of angiotensin-converting enzyme inhibitor, lisinopril, on spermatozoal functions in rats
Saha, L.; Garg, S.K.; Bhargava, V.K.; Mazumdar, S.
Methods and Findings in Experimental and Clinical Pharmacology 22(3): 159-162
2000
ISSN/ISBN: 0379-0355 PMID: 10893698 Document Number: 517242
Angiotensin-converting enzyme is present in the male reproductive system but its role in the physiology of reproduction is not known. To see the effect of angiotensin-converting enzyme on spermatozoal functions, lisinopril, an angiotensin-converting enzyme inhibitor, was administered orally using two different doses (10 and 20 mg/kg/day) to rats. Both short-term (2 weeks) and long-term (6 weeks) effects of the drug were observed. Lisinopril treatment resulted in a marked decrease in sperm density, sperm motility and zona pellucida penetration. Acrosome reaction by spermatozoa obtained from drug-treated animals was significantly lower when compared with spermatozoa from normal animals.