OBJECTIVE: To quantify the effects of Low Level Laser Therapy (LLLT) on human sperm motility in-vitro. Significant literature details the photo-bio-modulation effect of LLLT on human tissue from both laser and light-emitting diode (LED) sources at wavelengths from 630 to 1000nm but no data exists on spermatozoa. The intracellular effects arise predominantly from stimulation of ATP production via the respiratory chain of the mitochondria. LLLT has been shown to temporarily improve canine sperm motility, increase calcium transport within murine spermatozoa, increase the number of acrosome reacted bull sperm, and increase the longevity of motility in frozen turkey sperm.

DESIGN: Prospective observational study on normospermic and asthenospermic semen specimens.

MATERIALS AND METHODS: Four human semen specimens were subjected to LLLT from two continuous output sources at varying distances using the Thor-Laser system: a 104 LED diode cluster of 660nm and 850nm (100-400 Joule dose) and a 200mW laser 810nm GaAlAr diode (2-4 Joule dose). Sperm motility of both test and control aliquots was assessed using the sperm motility index (SMI) and total functional sperm count (TFSC) parameters measured on a SQA IIB analyser.

RESULTS: The bio-modulation from both sources was consistent across samples with different degrees of effect. The SMI and TFST increased up to four fold for normal semen and seven fold for asthenospermic semen compared to controls, with an inhibitory effect at higher doses. The maximum effect and timing post-exposure varied with the light source. For normal semen it was at the lowest dose at 30 minutes for the LED cluster and at the intermediate doses at 15 minutes for the diode laser. For asthenospermic semen it came from the mid-range doses at 30 minutes for the LED cluster and from the lowest dose for laser at 30 minutes post-exposure.

CONCLUSIONS: Human sperm motility is modified by exposure to LLLT with an effect that is both dose and sample dependent. This justifies further study of varying semen quality, doses and source types of light, and verification that it is not detrimental to DNA integrity prior to evaluation of its effect on fertilizing capacity.

(https://www.fertstert.org/article/S0015-0282(08)02565-X/fulltext)

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