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Human ejaculate. Effects on the biomechanical properties of the human chorioamniotic membranes
O H Harmanli1, R J Wapner, J F Lontz
1Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Jefferson Medical College, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, USA.
Objective:
To determine the effects of human ejaculate on the biomechanical properties of the human chorioamniotic membranes.
Study Design:
Equivalent strips of chorioamniotic membranes were obtained from 30 term, uncomplicated pregnancies immediately after delivery and incubated for 0, 1 and 24 hours with either ejaculate or pseudoamniotic fluid. Three biomechanical properties--rupture tension, strain to rupture and work to rupture--were compared.
Results:
One hour of incubation with pseudoamniotic fluid alone did not significantly change the membrane biomechanical parameters, but these parameters were reduced after one hour of exposure to ejaculate (P < .05). Twenty-four hours of incubation decreased all three properties in both the ejaculate and control groups without any significant difference between the two groups.
Conclusion:
In vitro exposure to human ejaculate for one hour significantly weakens the human chorioamniotic membranes.