Abstract

The ability of cupric ions to immobilize human spermatozoa was assessed in vitro using an optical microscope. A Ringer's solution containing human spermatozoa and three cupric ion concentrations of 8 × 10-8 mol/L, 8 × 10-6 mol/L and 8 × 10-5 mol/L were tested. The higher cupric ion concentrations (8 × 10-5 mol/L and 8 × 10-6 mol/L) significantly reduced spermatozoa motility after about 20 min. However, with the lower cupric ion concentration tested (8 × 10-8 mol/L), also for 20-min experimentation, the reduction in motility was more limited. © 2003 Elsevier Science Inc. All rights reserved.