title: In vitro spermicidal activity of parabens against human spermatozoa.
abstract: Potent in vitro spermicidal activity of parabens against human spermatozoa was demonstrated in this study. The "pass" point concentration of the four parabens--methylparaben, ethylparaben, propylparaben, and butylparaben, at which all spermatozoa were immobilized and no immobilized spermatozoon revived after 30 min incubation in phosphate buffered glucose solution, was 6, 8, 3, and 1 mg/ml, respectively, as tested by Harris' method. These parabens are used as food and pharmaceutic preservatives; less toxicity and side effects were expected for the development of parabens as vaginal contraceptive agents.
authors.affiliation: Tianjin Family Planning Research Institute, People's Republic of China.
authors.forename: B L
authors.initials: BL
authors.lastname: Song
authors.forename: H Y
authors.initials: HY
authors.lastname: Li
authors.forename: D R
authors.initials: DR
authors.lastname: Peng
mesh_terms: D004305:Dose-Response Relationship, Drug; D006801:Humans; D066298:In Vitro Techniques; D008297:Male; D010226:Parabens / Q000494:pharmacology*; D013081:Sperm Motility / Q000187:drug effects; D013094:Spermatozoa / Q000187:drug effects*
chemical_list: D010226:Parabens; C012313:ethyl-p-hydroxybenzoate; C038091:butylparaben; C015358:methylparaben; C006068:propylparaben