Objective
The purpose of this study was to assess the motility of human sperm incubated with various concentrations of lignocaine.
Methods
Eleven semen samples with a sperm density ⩾20 ×10 6 ml and progressive motility ⩾40% were prepared using a swim-up technique. Aliquots from each sample were incubated for 4 hr under capacitating conditions with lignocaine concentrations of 100, 10, 1, and 0.1 µg/ml and without additional lignocaine as a control. Digital computerized motion analysis was performed on all samples at 1, 2, and 4 hr after the addition of lignocaine.
Results
After 2 hr of incubation a significant (P <0.05) increase in the percentage of sperm with a curvilinear velocity >100 µm/sec was observed in those samples incubated with 100 µg/ml lignocaine. This stimulatory effect was no longer apparent after a further 2 hr of incubation. No other significant changes were identified in any of the motility parameters examined.
Conclusions
No adverse effects on human sperm motility were identified during incubation with low concentrations of lignocaine. A transient stimulatory effect was observed at a lignocaine concentration of 100 µg/ml.
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Bennett, S.J., Bolton, V. & Parsons, J. The effects of lignocaine on human sperm motility. J Assist Reprod Genet 9, 271–273 (1992). https://doi.org/10.1007/BF01203827
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DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/BF01203827