Risk reduction for the type of glove used in ART procedures

Abstract

Objective: Powderless latex surgical gloves have become the gold standard in ART (Francis et al J Assisted Reprod Genetics 9:283–5, 1992). However, stretching of latex, which occurs when gloves are donned, releases contaminates and odors that may be cytotoxic to gametes and embryos. We have examined the risk of cytotoxicity when comparing stretched and unstretched latex and polyurethane gloves in a mouse embryo assay (MEA) and a sperm motility assay (SMA).