Nitrile Alert - Potential for Semen Damage

In the past year, the ReproQuest semen evaluation lab has investigated semen damaged from the use of Nitrile products, gloves and/or sleeves, during the collection and processing of boar semen.

During the manufacturing of Nitrile, a base polymer is mixed with agents to form a coagulated polymer in a tank.  This coagulated substance is washed and dried into crumb rubber, Nitrile, for molding. Manufacturers attempt to wash the coagulation agents out of the finished product. However, if the Nitrile material is not properly washed during the manufacturing process, the remaining coagulant residue can severely damage or kill semen on contact.

Some of the characteristics of semen damage that may be seen include: poor motility, quivering sperm cells, non-motile or straight-tailed cells and increased clumping (agglutination).

ReproQuest and Continental Plastic strongly discourage the use of Nitrile products when working with semen. An alternative to Nitrile products are molded vinyl products such as, textured vinyl gloves.

Please contact us with any questions or if you have a need for further information.