ULTRASOUND TRANSMISSION GEL IN THE VAGINA CAN IMPAIR SPERM MOTILITY

The effect of ultrasound transmission gel on sperm motility was assess ed because of a few unsatisfactory post-coital tests, encountered afte r vaginal ultrasonography in otherwise. normal couples. Swim-up sample s of spermatozoa from donors and patients with asthenozoospermia were incubated in ultrasonic transmission gel at various concentrations. Sp erm progressive motility and viability were checked. Donor sperm progr essive motility declined from 90.9 +/- 2.5% (mean +/- SD) to 30.6 +/- 2.7% (P less than or equal to 0.001) within 18 h at a gel concentratio n of only 10% (by volume). There were no progressive motile spermatozo a after incubation in 80% gel. In the swim-up fraction from asthenozoo spermic patients, motility declined from 92.2 +/- 2.5% to 11.6 +/- 2.1 % (P less than or equal to 0.001) within 130 min at a gel concentratio n of 10% (by volume). Eosin staining for viability demonstrated that t he loss of motility was mostly due to loss of viability. The use of ul trasound transmission gel should be avoided during follicular follow-u p close to the date of expected ovulation in couples who practise date d natural intercourse or cervical insemination. Normal saline is an ad equate substitute in this period with relatively large follicles.