Effect of vaginal lubricants on sperm motility and chromatin integrity: a prospective comparative study

Fertil Steril. 2008 Feb;89(2):375-9. doi: 10.1016/j.fertnstert.2007.02.050. Epub 2007 May 16.

Abstract

Objective: To evaluate the effect of vaginal lubricants Pre-Seed, FemGlide, Astroglide, and Replens on human sperm motility and chromatin integrity.

Design: Prospective, comparative, in vitro study.

Setting: Andrology laboratory at tertiary care hospital.

Patient(s): Thirteen normozoospermic donors.

Intervention(s): Semen samples from 13 subjects were incubated in human tubal fluid media (HTF) controls and 10% (vol/vol) of Pre-Seed, FemGlide, Astroglide, and Replens lubricants. After 30 minutes, progressive sperm motility was assessed by light microscopy. Semen samples of 12 patients were placed in positive control (HTF), negative control (10% K-Y Jelly lubricant), and 10% vol/vol Pre-Seed and FemGlide lubricants. After 4 hours culture, spermatozoa were analyzed for percent DNA fragmentation index with use of the acridine orange-based sperm chromatin structure assay.

Main outcome measure(s): Sperm motility and percent DNA fragmentation index.

Results: Percent motility did not differ significantly between HTF controls and Pre-Seed, whereas FemGlide, Replens, and Astroglide lubricants demonstrated a significant decrease in motility. There was no significant difference in percent DNA fragmentation index between the HTF controls and Pre-Seed, but a significant decline in sperm chromatin quality occurred with FemGlide and K-Y Jelly.

Conclusion: Pre-Seed does not cause a significant decrease in progressive sperm motility or chromatin integrity in contrast to other lubricants used by couples.

Publication types

  • Comparative Study
  • Evaluation Study
  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Cells, Cultured
  • Cellulose / analogs & derivatives
  • Cellulose / pharmacology
  • Chromatin / drug effects*
  • Chromatin / metabolism
  • DNA Fragmentation / drug effects
  • Female
  • Glycerol / pharmacology
  • Humans
  • Lipids / pharmacology
  • Lubricants / pharmacology*
  • Male
  • Phosphates / pharmacology
  • Poloxamer / pharmacology
  • Polyethylene Glycols / pharmacology
  • Propylene Glycols / pharmacology
  • Sperm Motility / drug effects*
  • Spermatozoa / drug effects
  • Spermatozoa / metabolism
  • Vaginal Creams, Foams, and Jellies / pharmacology*

Substances

  • Astroglide
  • Chromatin
  • K-Y jelly
  • Lipids
  • Lubricants
  • Phosphates
  • Propylene Glycols
  • Replens
  • Vaginal Creams, Foams, and Jellies
  • femglide
  • pre-seed
  • Poloxamer
  • Polyethylene Glycols
  • Cellulose
  • Glycerol