The Effects of the Presence of the Hydrochlorofluorocarbon (HCFC)-123 Containing Fire Extinguisher in Laboratories upon Sperm Motility and Embryo Development

Abstract

This study was conducted to investigate in vitro effects of HCFC-123 on sperms and embryos due to the possibility of gas leakage from fire extinguishers and in vivo studies reporting prenatal toxicity and implantation failure with some compounds of halogenated hydrocarbon family. This study was designed in two study groups; first investigating embryo toxicity in rat embryos and the second, studying possible spermatotoxic effects on human sperm with sperm survival test. The study was conducted in two experiment environments. One of the systems has the presence of HCFC-123 containing fire extinguisher and the second system is without fire extinguisher. As results, fertilization rates were similar in HCFC-123 containing fire extinguisher group and HCFC-123 free group (57%, 60% respectively). Cleavage rate was 45% in HCFC-123 containing fire extinguisher group and found as 50% in HCFC-123 free group (p>0.05). HCFC-123 containing fire extinguisher did not have harmful affects upon sperm motility. In conclusion, HCFC-123 containing fire extinguishers can be used safely in IVF laboratories

Keywords

• embryo toxicity, fire extinguishers, halogenated hydrocarbons, HCFC-123, in vitro fertilization