Elsevier

Contraception

Volume 46, Issue 6, December 1992, Pages 537-542
Contraception

The immobilization of all spermatozoa in vitro by bitter lemon drink and the effect of alkaline pH

https://doi.org/10.1016/0010-7824(92)90118-DGet rights and content

Abstract

This study investigated the effects of increase in temperature and in pH of Coca-Cola, Afri-Cola, Pepsi-Cola and Krest bitter lemon drinks (“soft drinks”) produced in Nigeria on the in vitro motility of spermatozoa. Semen was collected from 7 men, average age 28 years, of proven fertility, after 5 days' abstinence from sexual intercourse. The temperature and pH of the drinks were adjusted from 22 °C (room) to 37 °C, and pH 2.4 (acid) to 7.5 (alkaline), respectively. The mean % motility of spermatozoa in the adjusted and in the unadjusted drinks was compared for significant differences at the 1% level using the student's t-test. The results showed no significant differences in mean % motility in the drinks at 22 °c and at 37 °C. The mean % motility in all the drinks, except Coca-Cola, was significantly greater at alkaline than at acid pH; for Coca-Cola, motility was significantly greater at acid than alkaline pH. Of the drinks, Krest bitter lemon (unadjusted) immobilized all spermatozoa within 1 minute of addition. Conclusion: i) alkalinity decreases the spermicidal action of all drinks except Coca-Cola, and ii) Krest bitter lemon may achieve very high efficacy if used as post-coital douche, especially in the impoverished, densely populated Third World.

References (12)

There are more references available in the full text version of this article.

Cited by (13)

  • Spermicidal effects of lemon juice and juices from other natural products

    2016, Agriculture and Natural Resources
    Citation Excerpt :

    However, the study of Hong et al. (1987) provided quantitative evidence that Coca-Cola and Pepsi-Cola have little, if any, spermicidal effect and thus their application as a postcoital douching is a practice lacking scientific foundation. Lemon juice solutions have been shown to immobilize sperm in the laboratory (Short et al., 2004), as has Krest Bitter Lemon drink (Nwoha, 1992). While the author of the Krest Bitter Lemon study suggested its use as a postcoital douche, this is unlikely to be effective, as sperm begin leaving the ejaculate (out of the reach of any douche) within 1.5 min of deposition.

  • Can I get pregnant from oral sex? Sexual health misconceptions in e-mails to a reproductive health website

    2009, Contraception
    Citation Excerpt :

    Popular theories about the spermicidal properties of douching with vinegar, Coca-Cola and other liquids have also been investigated by researchers with varying results [23--25]. Only one, however, has extrapolated from in vitro experiments to speculate that they might work in vivo as a postcoital contraceptive [25]. The search for a carbonated beverage that could double as postcoital contraceptive douche expresses a longing for an inexpensive and widely accessible contraceptive method that reduces women's reliance on pharmaceutical companies and medical controls.

  • Update on Emergency Contraception

    2012, Journal of Midwifery and Women's Health
  • Postcoital contraception - A statement from the DGGEF e.v. and the bvf e.v

    2011, Journal fur Reproduktionsmedizin und Endokrinologie
View all citing articles on Scopus
View full text