Exposure of Multi-Walled Carbon Nanotubes to Human Sperm

Abstract

Introduction: Nanotechnology is projected as a fundamental pillar in the health sciences due to its important applications. Surely it will not be strange to speak in the near future of nanosensors or nanorobots to perform diagnostic and therapeutic tasks. The use of nano-scale materials has increased in recent years, especially with carbon-based structures such as carbon nanotubes, graphene, graphite and fullerenes.
Objective: To determine the effect of multi-walled nanotubes on human sperm.
Methods: Twelve semen samples from healthy volunteers were included for the study and the guidelines established in the World Health Organization Human Semen Processing Manual were followed. The samples were incubated with the solution of the dispersed carbon nanotubes at a final concentration of 1% for 120 min. and sperm motility was quantified at time zero, at 30, 60 and 120 minutes.
Results: It was found that progressive sperm motility was not affected as a function of time (p> 0.05), however, from time zero of incubation, it is observed that some sperm are trapped by interacting with carbon nanotubes by inhibiting their displacement.
Conclusions: Multi-walled carbon nanotubes do not have adverse effects on seminal quality in humans, therefore, the devices constructed and the procedures that employ these molecules would be safe for the male sexual and reproductive health.