5-(1H-INDOL-3-YL)-OXAZOLE, -OXADIAZOLE AND -FURAN DERIVATIVES AS ENHANCERS OF SPERM MOTILITY

The invention relates to the use of compounds of formula (I), stereoisomers, and physiologically tolerable salts thereof, to enhance the motility of sperm obtained from a non-human mammal: wherein in formula I: X is -NR′- (in which R′ is H or C1-3 alkyl, e,g, -CH3), -O-, -S- or -CH2-; Y is -S-, -O-, -NR″- (in which R″ is H or C1-3 alkyl, e.g. -CH3), or -CH2-; Z1 and Z2 are independently selected from N and CH; R1 to R3 are independently selected from hydrogen, halogen, C1-6 alkyl, C1-6 alkoxy, C1-6 haloalkyl, -OH, -CN, -NO2 and -NR12R13; R4 is hydrogen, halogen, C1-6 alkyl, C1-6 alkoxy, C1-6 haloalkyl, or -OH; R5 is hydrogen, halogen, C1-6 alkyl, C1-6 alkoxy, or C1-6 haloalkyl; R6 and R7 are independently selected from hydrogen, halogen, C1-6 alkyl, C1-6 alkoxy, C1-6 haloalkyl, -OH, -CN, -NO2 and -NR12R13; R8 is hydrogen, halogen, C1-6 alkyl, C1-6 alkoxy, C1-6 haloalkyl, -CN, -NO2 or -NR12R13; R9 is hydrogen or C1-4 alkyl; R10 and R11 are independently selected from hydrogen and C1-3 alkyl; or R10 and R11, together with the intervening -O-and ring atoms, are joined to form a dioxolane ring; and R12 and R13 are independently selected from H and C1-3 alkyl. The compounds find particular use in animal husbandry to increase the rate of fertilization in artificial insemination of livestock, especially pigs. They can also be used to prepare, pre-treat or store semen for use in artificial insemination procedures.