Toxic effect on human spermatozoa by Chlamydia trachomatis purified lipopolysaccharide

We have investigated the effect that lipopolysaccharide extracted from Chlamydia trachomatis has on human spermatozoa. A lipopolysaccharide of 0.1 μg ml−1 caused a spermatozoa mortality rate of 65±4% evaluated by eosin exclusion test. The toxic activity occurred rapidly even after brief incubation times, reaching the maximum (100% mortality) within 60 min.