Member question: I was wondering if saliva does kill sperm?
Dr. Amos: There have been many studies done on what influences sperm survival. And most studies show that saliva can have a negative effect on sperm. If he has enough sperms then it's unlikely to make a major difference, but if he has a low sperm count then you need every single sperm.
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Infertile couples frequently experience sexual dysfunction during their infertility investigations, including inadequate vaginal lubrication. In a attempt to look for a lubricant that would not impair sperm motility and activity, saliva was added to normal semen from healthy male donors. Saliva induced a "shaking movement" in 12% of the total sperm population incubated with high concentrations of saliva. This phenomenon did not occur with low concentrations of saliva, but sperm motility and progression significantly decreased. The results indicate that saliva has a deleterious effect on sperm motility and activity and should not be encouraged as a vaginal lubricant for the infertile couple.
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sorry for the essay, but from what I can see, saliva is a no no and appears to be the worst out of all lubricant options!! So glad you raised this. Pre-seed is the best way to go from all accounts.
I think it is worst for couples who are TTC with a low sperm count, buy still, I'd like to think I'm giving all my hubby's swimmers a fair crack at it!
Thanks hunnybump and good luck for the end of the year x