Sperm Immobilizing Potency of Amitriptyline and Imipramine: Measured with Transmembrane Migration

Abstract
The inhibitory effect of amitriptyline and imipramine [antidepressants] on human sperm motility was measured in vitro with a transmembrane migration method. The EC50 [median effective concentration] for amitriptyline and imipramine were 170 and 160 .mu.M, respectively. They were more potent than any other drug that had been tested on this pharmacological model. Transmembrane migration method was less sensitive than turbidimetric method to detect the sperm immobilizing effect of drugs.