Levamisole and Other Diamine Oxidase Inhibitors as Inhibitors of Sperm Motility

Abstract

Levamisole, an anthelmintic drug and inhibitor of sperm motility, is a potent inhibitor of seminal diamine oxidase. Many other diamine oxidase inhibitors also inhibit sperm motility. The most active class of these sperm motility inhibitors is the group of isothiuronium compounds, some of which are much more potent than many other metabolic inhibitors tested. They also possess the property of inducing sperm to be motile in closed circles before becoming immotile with a characteristically curled shape, and are active against mouse epididymal, rabbit, and human spermatozoa.

Key Words:

• Diaminine oxidase
• Levamisole
• Sperm motility