Low energy narrow band non-coherent infrared illumination

of humen semen and isolated sperm

R. Singer, M. Saiv, M. Barnet, H. Levinsky, E. segenreich, Y. Fuchs,
E. Mendes and H. Yehoshua

Summary:

Sixty-two samples of human normal and abnormal semen and 23 samples
of washed sperm were illuminated for 4 minutes with a narrow band non-coherent
infrared device (BioBeam). Immediately after illumination the following parameters
were examined in comparison with appropriate controls: motility, viability and
morphology, fructose content of semen, acrosome reaction of sperm, viscosity
of seminal plasma and analysis of the protein pattern. The mean value of motility
grade calculated for the total number of 62 semen samples was 2.58±0.79 versus
2.17±0.75 (non illuminated controls), P<0.05. The mean value of motility grade of
23 samples washed sperm was 2.89±0.77 versus 2.43±0.62, respectively (p<0.01).
In two illuminated seminal plasma specimens, the viscosity was decreased by 8.8%
and 14.8%, the protein content and pattern remained, however unchanged.
Neither the percentages of motile, viable and morphologically normal sperm, nor the
fructose content of semen were found to be affected by the illumination.

Reference: Andrologia 23, 181-184, 1991