Abstract
In recent years, microfluidic chip-based sperm sorting has emerged as an alternative tool to centrifugation-based conventional techniques for in vitro fertilization. This prospective study aims to compare the effects of density gradient centrifugation and microfluidic chip sperm preparation methods on embryo development in patient populations with astheno-teratozoospermia. In the study, the semen samples of the patients were divided into two groups for preparation with either the microfluidic or density gradient methods. Selected spermatozoa were then used to fertilize mature sibling oocytes and the semen parameters and embryo development on days 3 and 5 were assessed. While the density gradient group was associated with a higher sperm concentration, motility (progressive and total) was significantly higher in the microfluidic chip group. No significant differences were observed in the fertilization rates or grade 1 (G1) and grade 2 (G2) proportions of the third-day embryos. Furthermore, while the proportions of the poor, fair and good blastocysts on day 5 did not differ significantly, excellent blastocysts (indicating high-quality embryos) were observed in a significantly higher proportion of the microfluidic chip group. When compared to the classical density gradient method, the microfluidic chip sperm preparation yielded sperm with higher motility and higher quality blastocysts at day 5; in patients with astheno-teratozoospermia.
Highlights
Male factors alone account for 20–30% of infertility cases, with another 20% stemming from both male and female factors [1]
Density gradient centrifugation (DGC) [9], a classical sperm preparation method, allows for separation based on motility, size and density as the spermatozoa are centrifuged through a colloidal silica gradient
The semen samples of 22 patients with astheno-teratozoospermia were divided into two groups and each half was prepared with either the microfluidic chip or DGC
Summary
Male factors alone account for 20–30% of infertility cases, with another 20% stemming from both male and female factors [1]. A variety of microfluidic devices with different approaches ranging from passive to flow or chemical-based sorting have been designed to efficiently isolate the highly motile and healthy sperm [21,22,23,24,25,26]. These technologies aim to develop a reliable and accurate system that enables high-throughput, functional sperm sorting similar to the natural sperm selection process [27]. The researchers found improved clinical outcomes with increased rates of high-quality embryo, implantation and pregnancy [32]
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