Infertility from Saliva?

April 1999; Volume 1: 39

Source: Anderson L, et al. The effects of coital lubricants on sperm motility in vitro. Hum Repro 1998;13:3351-3356.

Methods and Materials: The effect of four sexual lubricants (KY jelly, baby oil, olive oil, and saliva) was tested on sperm motion (using computer-assisted semen analysis) in 16 sperm samples from patients undergoing infertility investigations.

Results: At a 12.5% concentration, baby oil had no effect on sperm. However, KY jelly, olive oil, and saliva significantly decreased percentage progressive motility, progressive velocity, curvilinear velocity, and lateral head displacement. At a 6.25% concentration, both olive oil and saliva significantly reduced progressive motility parameters, and KY jelly significantly reduced head movement parameters.

Funding: Not indicated.

Comments: Even at low concentrations, KY jelly and saliva inhibit sperm motility. Infertile couples who use sexual lubricants may well be advised to use, appropriately enough, baby oil.