The rapid detection of cytotoxicity using a modified human sperm survival assay.
Sperm were cultured at room temperature in seminal plasma, in the presence or absence of a test item or solution. Progressive motility of the sperm was measured using a Sperm Quality Analyser IIB. A progressive decline in motility of sperm was seen under control conditions from 0 hr to 24 hrs. Culture medium did not cause a significant decline in sperm survival index during the first 6 hrs of culture but did after 24 hrs. A dose dependent reduction in sperm survival index was then seen with formaldehyde. Powder-free rubber gloves proved extremely toxic unlike the associated rubber plunger of a non-pyrogenic syringe. It is concluded that the use of unwashed human sperm in survival studies allows detection of toxicity within 6 hrs, a time much less than conventional methods using washed human sperm.
Iemmolo
Melissa
M
School of Animal Biology (M092), University of Western Australia, Crawley.
Simmons
Leigh
L
Matson
Phillip
P
D001681:Biological Assay / Q000379:methods; D018929:Cell Culture Techniques; D003470:Culture Media; D004202:Disinfectants / Q000633:toxicity; D005307:Fertilization in Vitro; D005557:Formaldehyde / Q000633:toxicity; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D013081:Sperm Motility; D013094:Spermatozoa / Q000502:physiology*; D018675:Toxicity Tests
D003470:Culture Media; D004202:Disinfectants; D005557:Formaldehyde