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.