Hysterosalpingography (HSG) seems to be of therapeutical importance. Several studies indicated increased pregnancy rates following HSG. Its therapeutical action is based on the reconstitution of the oviductal patency by means of the contrast medium, though the actual mechanism has never been established. Some reports suggested the effect of water-soluble contrast media (WSCM) on the activity of peritoneal macrophages, which in unexplained cases and endometriosis-associated infertility are claimed to be responsible for spermatozoal phagocytosis. Current experiments evaluated the influence of WSCM on the activity of stimulated macrophages. Mouse peritoneal macrophages were cultured with diatrizoate (WSCM), and spermatozoa. The production and release of tumor necrosis factor-α (TNFα), nitrates and prostaglandin F2α(PGF2α) were correlated with the activity of macrophages. Morphological studies were performed by means of a scanning electron microscope (SEM). Diatrizoate decreased the release of nitrite, but demonstrated no significant effect on PGF2α and TNFα. SEM demonstrated a decreased phagocytosing activity of macrophages cultured with diatrizoate. Current in vitro results demonstrated that contrast media used during HSG may inhibit peritoneal macrophages activity.

Keywords: sperm, Macrophages, Diatrizoate, Infertility, contrast medium, Nitric Oxide, Prostaglandins, tumor necrosis factor