VAGINAL LUBRICANTS FOR THE INFERTILE COUPLE - EFFECT ON SPERM ACTIVITY

To determine the effects of natural vegetable oils and vaginal lubrica nts on sperm motion and viability. Design-Four widely used vaginal lub ricants (K-Y Jelly, Astroglide, Replens, and Touch) and two vegetable oil products that have been used as vaginal lubricants were purchased through local vendors. Sperm was obtained by masturbation without lubr ication from normal, healthy donors. Lubricants were mixed with sperm from individual donors and the effects on sperm motility were determin ed at 1, 15, 30, and 60 minutes. Setting-Southwestern Fertility Associ ates of The University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center at Dallas. Main Outcome Measures-Sperm motility was evaluated by manual motility counts and by computer-assisted semen analysis. Sperm viability was e valuated with Hoechst 33258 dye. The effects of-the various lubricants were compared with those of a spermicidal agent, Gynol LI (negative c ontrol) and Ham's F-10 (positive control). Results-Commercial lubrican ts inhibited sperm motility by 60-100% after 60 minutes of incubation. Sperm exposed to Replens or Astroglide were nonmotile and nonviable a fter incubation for 60 minutes, similar to the control, nonoxynol-9-co ntaining product Gynol II. Canola oil had no detrimental effects and w as indistinguishable from Ham's F-10 in terms of sperm viability and m otility. Conclusions-For couples with infertility, the use of vaginal lubricants during intercourse is not recommended. In cases where a lub ricant is required, careful selection can maximize sperm motility and viability.