Time-dependent changes of sperm cells in human ejaculate samples added in various liquid media

Abstract

Introduction: It is known that sexual assault victim's contacting to water may decrease the detectability of sperm cells on the body of a victim. The features of water (i.e. chemical and biological) also have an importance in this respect. In this study, it is aimed at studying different kinds of water in terms of the detection of sperm cells in vitro. The difference of the study from other studies in the literature is the usage of different types of water and the search for detectability of sperm in these water samples regarding both time and dilution factor. Materials and methods: After sexual abstinence, 30 volunteer young adults' ejaculate samples were taken with their informed consent. These samples were examined in liquid media in terms of change in time. Ejaculate samples which were standardized as to include 50 million sperms cells in each milliliter were diluted by 20% in 4 tubes including distilled water, tap water, sea water and river water. Sperm count in diluted samples was conducted daily. Results: It is determined that sperm cells can be detected after a longer time in tap and distilled water than in sea and fresh water. Sperm cells were detected up to 1128 h in tap water, 888 h in sea water, 1008 h in distilled water and 792 h in river water. Changes in sperm count in terms of dilution rate and liquid type were recorded. Discussion and conclusion: It is known that in vitro results are not the same as in vivo results. Time-dependent changes about detectability of sperm cells in different types of water are presented in tables and figures. Published by Elsevier Ireland Ltd.