title: The effects of lignocaine on human sperm motility.
abstract: 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 greater than or equal to 20 x 10(6) ml and progressive motility greater than or equal to 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 microgram/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 less than 0.05) increase in the percentage of sperm with a curvilinear velocity greater than 100 microns/sec was observed in those samples incubated with 100 micrograms/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 micrograms/ml.
authors.affiliation: Assisted Conception Unit, King's College Hospital, London, UK.
authors.forename: S J
authors.initials: SJ
authors.lastname: Bennett
authors.forename: V
authors.initials: V
authors.lastname: Bolton
authors.forename: J
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Parsons
mesh_terms: D006801:Humans; D008012:Lidocaine / Q000494:pharmacology*; D008297:Male; D013075:Sperm Capacitation / Q000187:drug effects*; D013081:Sperm Motility / Q000187:drug effects*
chemical_list: D008012:Lidocaine