Dose-dependent relationship of polymeric hydrogels on motility and vitality of human spermatozoa in vitro

Alteration in motility and vitality of human spermatozoa treated with various polymeric hydrogels in vitro has been studied. Different copolymers of acrylic acid-co-methylmethacrylate, poly (AA-co-MMA); acrylic acid-co-butylacrylate, poly (AA-co-BA); Itaconic acid-co-methylmethacrylate, poly (IA-co-MMA); styrene maleic anhydride, poly (SMA) and homo-polymers of polyacrylic acid, poly (AA); poly methylmethacrylate, poly (MMA) were taken. Of all the polymers studied, the following three groups of water-insoluble polymers, namely poly(IA-co-MMA), poly(AA-co-MMA) and poly (AA-co-BA) proved to be strong inhibitors of spermatozoa motility and vitality. The homopolymer of acrylic acid which is water soluble, also exhibited strong inhibitory action. Poly (MMA) did not show any such effects.