Effect of calcium-modifying drugs on mouse in vitro fertilization and preimplantation development

• Published in: International journal of fertility Vol. 35; no. 3; p. 171
• Main Authors: Blancato, J K, Seyler, D E
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: United States 01-05-1990
• Subjects: Animals; Blastocyst - drug effects; Calcium - physiology; Calcium Channel Blockers - pharmacology; Diltiazem - pharmacology; Female; Fertilization in Vitro - drug effects; Gallic Acid - analogs & derivatives; Gallic Acid - pharmacology; Male; Mice; Mice, Inbred Strains; Sperm Motility - drug effects; Sperm Motility - physiology; Sperm-Ovum Interactions - drug effects; Sperm-Ovum Interactions - physiology
• ISSN: 0020-725X

Calcium ions are required for normal in vitro fertilization and preimplantation development in the mouse. This study examined the effects of alterations in Ca2+ flux and distribution on sperm penetration of eggs and embryo cleavage. Compounds used included diltiazem, a Ca2+ channel blocker, and 8-(N,N-diethylamino)octyl-3,4,5-trimethoxybenzoate (TMB-8), an antagonist of intracellular calcium release. Incubation of sperm and eggs with diltiazem at 30 and 10 microM and TMB-8 at 30, 10, and 3 microM resulted in depressed fertilization compared with controls. Motility was not inhibited at these concentrations of either drug. Both drugs also depressed progression of mouse embryos from 2-cell to blastocyst at 30 and 3-microM concentrations. This study suggests that both Ca2+ flux and distribution to specific cellular sites are required for normal mouse in vitro fertilization and early preimplantation development.