Effect of Visible Light on Human Sperm Motility

Abstract

The study was carried out on 14 human semen good-quality samples, selected from a total number of 33 samples collected in a dark room close to laboratory. The mode of collection was masturbation. Samples remained in dark, and liquefaction time was observed under dim (red) light. This time was considered as the zero hour of the experiment. After liquefaction, each sample was divided into 2 parts. One portion was kept in the same dark laboratory and the other portion was shifted to the illuminated laboratory. The intensity of light present in dark, illuminated laboratory and on microscopic platform was measured with lux meter. From zero hour, every hour, up to 10 hours samples in dark and light were observed for percentage as well as quality of motility. The results showed that spermatozoa in light deteriorated earlier in their percentage and quality of motility, whereas in dark the quality of motility was superior. The spermatozoa survived for a large number of hours here. The Authors believe that female genital system where dark exists must be experiencing the same where spermatozoa remain increased in longevity and better quality. This study reveals that available knowledge on sperm motility does not match with what probably happens in female genital system.