[Sperm sorting based on the imitation of the physiological process on the microfluidic chip]

Area of Science:

• Biotechnology and Biomedical Engineering
• Reproductive Biology
• Microfluidics

Context:

• Current sperm sorting methods often lack efficiency and can be invasive.
• Understanding sperm-male reproductive tract interactions is crucial for improving assisted reproductive technologies.
• Microfluidic devices offer a promising platform for mimicking biological processes at the microscale.

Purpose:

• To develop a microfluidic chip that replicates the physiological process of sperm-cervical mucus interaction for sperm sorting.
• To integrate real-time sperm parameter analysis capabilities within the microfluidic device.
• To compare the efficacy of microfluidic sorting with conventional swim-up methods and pre-sorted sperm.

Summary:

• A microfluidic chip was designed to simulate sperm-cervical mucus interaction, achieving natural sperm sorting.
• The device incorporates a real-time sperm detection reservoir for computer-assisted sperm analysis.
• Sperm sorted via the microfluidic chip exhibited significantly improved motility (grade a+b: 92.37%), morphology, and velocity parameters compared to pre-sorted samples and those sorted by the swim-up method.

Impact:

• This microfluidic approach provides a superior method for sperm sorting, enhancing sperm quality.
• The integrated real-time analysis streamlines the assessment of sperm parameters.
• The technology lays the foundation for simulating the entire fertilization process under physiological conditions on a microfluidic chip.