Oral probenecid improves sperm motility in men with spinal cord injury

Men with spinal cord injuries (SCI) often experience infertility due to abnormal semen quality, specifically low sperm motility. This study explores whether an oral medication, probenecid, can improve sperm motility in men with SCI. Probenecid blocks the pannexin-1 channel, which is involved in the inflammasome signaling mechanism that releases inflammatory cytokines. By blocking this channel, the researchers hypothesized that the inflammatory environment in the semen would be reduced, leading to improved sperm motility. The study found that oral probenecid improved sperm motility in men with SCI. This suggests that targeting the pannexin-1 channel can positively impact sperm quality and potentially improve fertility options for this population.

• 1
  Sperm motility improved in each subject after 4 weeks of oral probenecid.
• 2
  The mean percent of sperm with progressive motility increased from 19% to 26% (P < 0.05).
• 3
  The mean percent of sperm with rapid linear motility increased from 5% to 17%, (P <0.001). This improvement continued into the four week follow up period.