Study of the effect of ulipristal acetate on human sperm ability to interact with tubal tissue and cumulus-oocyte-complexes

Author(s)

Zumoffen, Carlos ; Gomez-Elias, Matias D. ; Caille, Adriana M. ; Bahamondes, Luis ; Cuasnicu, Patricia S. ; Cohen, Debora J. ; Jose Munuce, Maria

• Document type: Journal article
• Source: Contraception; v. 95, n. 6, p. 586-591, JUN 2017.
• Web of Science Citations: 2

Abstract

Objective: Ulispristal acetate (UPA) is a selective progesterone receptor modulator widely used for emergency contraception (EC). The described main mechanism of action is by inhibiting or delaying ovulation; however, the postovulatory effects of the drug are still on debate. Therefore, the aim of this study was to determine whether UPA could interfere with human sperm fertilizing ability. Study design: Human motile spermatozoa were incubated under capacitating conditions with or without UPA, and then used to inseminate human tubal explants, mouse cumulus-oocyte complexes and zona-free hamster eggs. The ability of UPA to interact with human sperm progesterone (P)-binding sites was investigated by incubating the cells with fluorescent-labeled P and analyzing them by fluorescence microscopy. Results: UPA did not affect the ability of human sperm to bind to human tubal tissue explants surface or to penetrate the mouse cumulus mass and the zona-free hamster eggs. In addition, concentrations of UPA much higher than those present in the plasma of EC pill users were required to bind to human sperm P-binding sites. Conclusions: Our study supports a lack of an agonist or antagonist action of UPA on different functional parameters associated with the fertilizing ability of human sperm. (C) 2017 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved. (AU)

• FAPESP's process: 15/20504-9 - Clinical findings among progestin-only contraceptives' users
• Grantee: Luis Guillermo Bahamondes
• Support Opportunities: Research Projects - Thematic Grants