OBJECTIVETo investigate the influence of the materials commonly used in the assisted reproduction procedure on human germ cells and embryo development.

METHODSWe used human sperm survival assay to detect the influence of two brands of culture dishes, two brands of injection needles, washed and unwashed ovum aspiration needles, embryo transfer catheters and surgical gloves on sperm motility. All the data obtained went through variance analysis with SPSS 13.0.

RESULTSSperm motility differed significantly between Nunclons and Falcon's culture dishes (52.68 +/-16.21 vs 45.36 +/- 15.25, P < 0.01) but not between the BD and the Jie-rui injection needles (P > 0.05), nor among the washed and unwashed ovum aspiration needles, embryo transfer catheters and surgical gloves (P > 0.05).

CONCLUSIONDifferent brands of assisted reproduction materials of similar use had different or similar influences on germ cells and embryos, while no difference existed in the influences of the washed and unwashed ovum aspiration needles, embryo transfer catheters and surgical gloves.