Oral probenecid improves sperm motility in men with spinal cord injury

Figures & data

Table 1 Sperm motility after oral administration of probenecid.

Grade of sperm motility:	Pre-Treatment (Mean ± SEM)	Post-Treatment (Mean ± SEM)	Follow-Up (Mean ± SEM)
Progressive motility (%)	19.0 ± 2.8	26.0 ± 3.7	23.0 ± 4.1
Compared to pre-treatment:		P < 0.05	NS
Rapid linear motility (%)	5.7 ± 1.5	17.0 ± 3.3	17.0 ± 3.7
Compared to pre-treatment:		P < 0.001	P < 0.001

Notes: Oral probenecid was administered to 20 men with spinal cord injury. Sperm motility was assessed prior to the first dose (Pre-Treatment), after a four-week course of probenecid (Post-Treatment), and four weeks after the last pill was ingested (Follow-Up). The percent of sperm showing progressive motility (rapid linear motility + sluggish motility) is presented as mean ± standard error of the mean (SEM). The sub-fraction of sperm showing the grade of rapid linear motility is also presented as mean ± SEM.

NS, not significant.

Table 2 Sperm concentration and total motile sperm count after oral administration of probenecid.

Sperm parameter:	Pre-Treatment (Mean ± SEM)	Post-Treatment (Mean ± SEM)	Follow-Up (Mean ± SEM)
Sperm concentration (10^6/cc)	52.0 ± 8.5	53.0 ± 9.3	53.0 ± 10.0
Compared to Pre-Treatment:		NS	NS
Total motile sperm count (10^6/ejaculate)	15.0 ± 4.4	28.0 ± 6.5	27.0 ± 10.0
Compared to pre-treatment:		P < 0.05	NS

Notes: Oral probenecid was administered to 20 men with spinal cord injury. Sperm concentration and total motile sperm count were determined prior to the first dose (Pre-Treatment), after a four-week course of probenecid (Post-Treatment), and four weeks after the last pill was ingested (Follow-Up). Sperm count and total motile sperm count are presented as the mean ± standard error of the mean (SEM).

NS, not significant.