The effects of coital lubricants on sperm motility and vitality.

OBJECTIVE

To investigate the effects of five coital lubricants including KY jelly, Durex, Pre-seed, Vaseline, and Baby oil on sperm motility and vitality.

METHODS

Raw semen samples from 20 normozoospermic donors were incubated in vaginal fluid simulant (VFS) controls and a 10% concentration of KY jelly, Durex, Pre-seed, Vaseline, and Baby oil. The sperm motility and vitality were evaluated immediately after mixing (0 minutes) and at 30 and 60 minutes.

RESULTS

Sperm motility significantly decreased immediately after mixing in all coital lubricants. Pre-seed demonstrated sperm parameters comparable to VFS at any incubation time. KY jelly, Vaseline, and Baby oil reduced the progressive sperm motility at a certain time, both 30 and 60 minutes in KY jelly, at only 30 minutes in Baby oil, and at only 60 minutes in Vaseline. Durex showed a significant decrease in sperm motility at any incubation time and significantly deteriorated sperm vitality at 60 minutes while other lubricants did not affect sperm vitality.

CONCLUSIONS

Pre-seed was the coital lubricant that had the least negative effect on sperm. It can be an appropriate coital lubricant for the couple who are trying to conceive when lubricant is indicated. In contrast, KY jelly and Durex are the coital lubricants that should be avoided, especially Durex which had the worst effect on both sperm motility and vitality.