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Flow Cytometric Analysis of Biomarkers for Detecting Human Sperm Functional Defects
Published on: April 21, 2022
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High-throughput flowing upstream sperm sorting in a retarding flow field for human semen analysis.
Jen-Kuei Wu1, Peng-Chun Chen1, Yu-Nan Lin1
1Department of Engineering and System Science, National Tsing Hua University, No. 101, Section 2, Kuang-Fu Road, Hsinchu, Taiwan 30013, Republic of China. fangang@ess.nthu.edu.tw.
The Analyst
|February 22, 2017
Summary
A novel microfluidic device sorts motile human sperm using a retarding flow field, mimicking natural selection. This high-throughput flowing upstream sperm sorter (FUSS) enhances sperm selection for assisted reproductive technologies.
Area of Science:
- Reproductive Biology
- Biomedical Engineering
- Microfluidics
Background:
- Sperm sorting is crucial for assisted reproductive technologies (ART) like intrauterine insemination (IUI) and in vitro fertilization (IVF).
- Existing methods for sperm separation often face challenges with throughput, efficiency, and maintaining sperm viability and motility.
- A need exists for advanced microfluidic solutions that mimic natural sperm selection processes for improved ART outcomes.
Purpose of the Study:
- To develop and validate a microfluidic device for high-throughput sorting and separation of motile human sperm.
- To investigate the efficacy of a retarding flow field in differentiating sperm based on motility.
- To create a device that replicates the natural selection mechanisms of sperm within the female reproductive tract.
Main Methods:
- Design of a microfluidic device featuring a straight-flow zone and a diffuser-type sorting zone with a retarding flow field.
- Utilizing the inherent upstream swimming behavior of motile sperm in a retarding flow for separation.
- Employing a dumbbell flow field to isolate non-motile or dead sperm for disposal.
- High-throughput analysis of sperm sorting performance, including cell counts and motility assessment.
Main Results:
- The microfluidic device, termed flowing upstream sperm sorter (FUSS), demonstrated high throughput (approx. 200,000 sperm/min; up to 200 million cells/mL).
- Achieved high sorting efficiency, with 90% of selected sperm being mobile.
- Successfully isolated highly motile sperm (approx. 20% with velocity > 120 μm/s).
Conclusions:
- The FUSS device effectively sorts and separates motile human sperm with high throughput and efficiency.
- The device's mechanism, mimicking natural selection, preserves sperm function and energy, making it suitable for ART.
- This microfluidic approach offers a promising advancement for sperm preparation in IUI and IVF procedures.
