Effect of magnetically selected sperm on fertilization and embryo development: an animal model study

Abstract

ObjectiveTo examine the beneficial and potential adverse effects of magnetic activated cell sorting (MACS) technique in mouse model.DesignExperimental study.Settings: Laboratory of Animal and Human Physiology, Department of Animal SciencesMaterials and MethodsMouse spermatozoa (n = 30) were separated into mature and immature fractions by density gradient centrifugation (DGC). Mature fraction (50μL for each mouse) was used for artificial insemination (AI) of female mice (n = 20) as Control group (CG). An aliquot of mature fraction was further processed by MACS into apoptotic and non-apoptotic sperm (NAS). Pure NAS were used for AI of Experimental Group (EG) of mice (n = 20). Ovulation was induced in female mice to synchronize and mimic natural ovulation. CG and EG were sacrificed at G-18 of gestation. Conceptuses were removed and number of implantation sites, resorptions, embryonic deaths and live fetuses were noted. Fetuses were examined for any gross abnormality.ResultsSignificant weight gain during pregnancy in EG (NAS) was recorded 14.9 ± 0.58 g compared to CG (10.89 ± 0.63 g). Implantations in EG were: 11.45 ± 0.83 vs. CG (8.25 ± 0.72), p value < 0.01. Resorptions and foetal deaths were not significantly different in two groups. Live fetuses in EG were: 10.55 ± 0.83 vs. 7.15 ± 0.81 (p < 0.001). There were no grossly malformed foetuses observed in the experimental group (MACS separated non-apoptotic spermatozoa).ConclusionIsolation and use of pure non-apoptotic spermatozoa can effectively enhance rate of conception and is a safe technique. ObjectiveTo examine the beneficial and potential adverse effects of magnetic activated cell sorting (MACS) technique in mouse model. To examine the beneficial and potential adverse effects of magnetic activated cell sorting (MACS) technique in mouse model. DesignExperimental study.Settings: Laboratory of Animal and Human Physiology, Department of Animal Sciences Experimental study. Settings: Laboratory of Animal and Human Physiology, Department of Animal Sciences Materials and MethodsMouse spermatozoa (n = 30) were separated into mature and immature fractions by density gradient centrifugation (DGC). Mature fraction (50μL for each mouse) was used for artificial insemination (AI) of female mice (n = 20) as Control group (CG). An aliquot of mature fraction was further processed by MACS into apoptotic and non-apoptotic sperm (NAS). Pure NAS were used for AI of Experimental Group (EG) of mice (n = 20). Ovulation was induced in female mice to synchronize and mimic natural ovulation. CG and EG were sacrificed at G-18 of gestation. Conceptuses were removed and number of implantation sites, resorptions, embryonic deaths and live fetuses were noted. Fetuses were examined for any gross abnormality. Mouse spermatozoa (n = 30) were separated into mature and immature fractions by density gradient centrifugation (DGC). Mature fraction (50μL for each mouse) was used for artificial insemination (AI) of female mice (n = 20) as Control group (CG). An aliquot of mature fraction was further processed by MACS into apoptotic and non-apoptotic sperm (NAS). Pure NAS were used for AI of Experimental Group (EG) of mice (n = 20). Ovulation was induced in female mice to synchronize and mimic natural ovulation. CG and EG were sacrificed at G-18 of gestation. Conceptuses were removed and number of implantation sites, resorptions, embryonic deaths and live fetuses were noted. Fetuses were examined for any gross abnormality. ResultsSignificant weight gain during pregnancy in EG (NAS) was recorded 14.9 ± 0.58 g compared to CG (10.89 ± 0.63 g). Implantations in EG were: 11.45 ± 0.83 vs. CG (8.25 ± 0.72), p value < 0.01. Resorptions and foetal deaths were not significantly different in two groups. Live fetuses in EG were: 10.55 ± 0.83 vs. 7.15 ± 0.81 (p < 0.001). There were no grossly malformed foetuses observed in the experimental group (MACS separated non-apoptotic spermatozoa). Significant weight gain during pregnancy in EG (NAS) was recorded 14.9 ± 0.58 g compared to CG (10.89 ± 0.63 g). Implantations in EG were: 11.45 ± 0.83 vs. CG (8.25 ± 0.72), p value < 0.01. Resorptions and foetal deaths were not significantly different in two groups. Live fetuses in EG were: 10.55 ± 0.83 vs. 7.15 ± 0.81 (p < 0.001). There were no grossly malformed foetuses observed in the experimental group (MACS separated non-apoptotic spermatozoa). ConclusionIsolation and use of pure non-apoptotic spermatozoa can effectively enhance rate of conception and is a safe technique. Isolation and use of pure non-apoptotic spermatozoa can effectively enhance rate of conception and is a safe technique.