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Updated: Sep 21, 2025
Sperm Collection of Differential Quality Using Density Gradient Centrifugation
Published on: November 29, 2018
Embryologic outcomes among patients using a microfluidics chip compared to density gradient centrifugation to process
Prachi Godiwala1, Emilse Almanza2, Jane Kwieraga1
1Center for Advanced Reproductive Services, Division of Reproductive Endocrinology and Infertility, Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, University of Connecticut School of Medicine, Farmington, CT, USA.
Microfluidics sperm processing significantly improved fertilization, high-quality blastulation, and euploidy rates in in vitro fertilization (IVF) cycles compared to density gradient centrifugation. This method shows promise for enhancing IVF outcomes, particularly for non-male factor infertility cases.
Area of Science:
- Reproductive Medicine
- Embryology
- In Vitro Fertilization (IVF)
Background:
- Sperm processing is critical for successful in vitro fertilization (IVF).
- Traditional methods like density gradient centrifugation (DGC) are widely used.
- Novel techniques such as microfluidics offer potential improvements in sperm selection.
Purpose of the Study:
- To compare embryologic outcomes between IVF cycles using microfluidics sperm processing and those using DGC.
- To evaluate the efficacy of microfluidics technology in improving key IVF metrics.
Main Methods:
- Retrospective cohort study of 88 paired IVF cycles.
- Comparison of intracytoplasmic sperm injection (ICSI) cycles using microfluidics sperm processing versus DGC (control).
- Primary outcome: high-quality blastulation rate.
Main Results:
- Significantly higher high-quality blastulation rate per oocyte retrieved in the microfluidics group (21.1% vs. 14.5%).
- Higher blastulation rate per 2PN and significantly improved fertilization rates with microfluidics.
- Significantly higher euploidy rate per oocyte retrieved with microfluidics (8.5% vs. 4.3%); euploidy rate per embryo biopsied was comparable.
- Improved outcomes in microfluidics group were most pronounced in patients without male factor infertility.
Conclusions:
- Microfluidics sperm processing led to significantly better fertilization, high-quality blastulation, and euploidy rates compared to DGC.
- Microfluidics technology represents a promising advancement for improving embryologic outcomes in IVF.
- The benefits of microfluidics may be more significant in specific patient populations, such as those without male factor infertility.
