title: A modified transmembrane migration method for evaluating the spermicidal potency of some nonoxynol compounds.
abstract: The transmembrane migration technique, a simple method in-vitro for quantitatively assessing the effects of a drug on human sperm motility, has been evaluated. The original method has been modified to include a preincubation step, and the incubation time has been reduced to 90 min. In semen samples possessing sperm concentrations of less than 75 x 12(6) spermatozoa mL-1 the volume of the lower reservoir has been reduced to 1 mL. This modified method has been used to compare the spermicidal potency of the widely employed non-ionic surfactant nonoxynol-9, with nonoxynol-5 and nonoxynol-15 (containing, respectively, fewer and more ethylene oxide units per molecule). The rank order of spermicidal potency of the compounds evaluated was nonoxynol-9 = nonoxynol-5 greater than nonoxynol-15.
mesh_terms: D006801:Humans; D006863:Hydrogen-Ion Concentration; D066298:In Vitro Techniques; D008297:Male; D008567:Membranes, Artificial; D017137:Nonoxynol; D011092:Polyethylene Glycols / Q000494:pharmacology* / Q000633:toxicity; D013076:Sperm Count; D013081:Sperm Motility / Q000187:drug effects; D013089:Spermatocidal Agents / Q000494:pharmacology* / Q000633:toxicity
chemical_list: D008567:Membranes, Artificial; D013089:Spermatocidal Agents; D017137:Nonoxynol; D011092:Polyethylene Glycols