# The effects of coital lubricants on sperm motility and vitality

## TL;DR

This study examines how different coital lubricants affect sperm movement and survival, finding that Pre-seed is the least harmful while KY jelly and Durex are most damaging.

## Contribution

The study provides empirical evidence comparing the effects of various coital lubricants on sperm motility and vitality.

## Key findings

- Pre-seed showed sperm parameters comparable to vaginal fluid simulant at all incubation times.
- KY jelly, Vaseline, and Baby oil reduced progressive sperm motility at specific times.
- Durex significantly decreased sperm motility and vitality, especially at 60 minutes.

## Abstract

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

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.

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.

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.