title: Adverse effects of methylene blue on human sperm motility, components of human reproductive tract fluids, and mouse embryo cleavage.
abstract: Because methylene blue exhibits germicidal, oxidation, and reduction properties, the authors asked whether this agent causes adverse effects on gametes, embryos, and/or secretions of the reproductive tract. Time- and dose-dependent inhibition of human sperm motility by methylene blue was observed, as was growth inhibition of 2-cell mouse embryos. Furthermore, the presence of methylene blue in uterine, fallopian tube, and peritoneal fluids altered protein mobility in polyacrylamide gels, and yielded apparent values of follicle-stimulating hormone and estradiol up to 260% of actual values (P less than 0.05). These data suggest that the presence of methylene blue in reproductive tract fluids may provide a false impression of their biochemical and biophysical compositions, and that the use of methylene blue as a chromopertubation agent be conducted with appropriate awareness.
authors.affiliation: United States Naval Hospital, Portsmouth, Virginia.
authors.forename: C C
authors.initials: CC
authors.lastname: Coddington
authors.forename: T L
authors.initials: TL
authors.lastname: Anderson
authors.forename: C R
authors.initials: CR
authors.lastname: Accetta
authors.forename: J
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Swanson
authors.forename: T
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Kruger
authors.forename: G D
authors.initials: GD
authors.lastname: Hodgen
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000818:Animals; D001826:Body Fluids / Q000032:analysis; D004589:Electrophoresis, Disc; D005314:Embryonic and Fetal Development / Q000187:drug effects*; D004958:Estradiol / Q000032:analysis; D005189:False Positive Reactions; D005260:Female; D005640:Follicle Stimulating Hormone / Q000032:analysis; D005836:Genitalia, Female / Q000032:analysis*; D006801:Humans; D066298:In Vitro Techniques; D008297:Male; D008751:Methylene Blue / Q000032:analysis / Q000633:toxicity*; D051379:Mice; D008970:Molecular Weight; D011506:Proteins / Q000032:analysis; D011863:Radioimmunoassay; D013081:Sperm Motility / Q000187:drug effects*
chemical_list: D011506:Proteins; D004958:Estradiol; D005640:Follicle Stimulating Hormone; D008751:Methylene Blue