Separation of sperm based on rheotaxis mechanism using a microfluidic device.

Area of Science:

• Reproductive Biology
• Biomedical Engineering
• Microfluidics

Background:

• Assisted reproductive technologies (ART) face challenges in selecting optimal sperm for fertilization.
• Current sperm selection methods may not consistently yield the highest quality sperm, impacting ART success rates.

Purpose of the Study:

• To introduce and evaluate an innovative microfluidic device utilizing rheotaxis for efficient sperm sorting.
• To compare the efficacy of rheotaxis-based sperm selection with conventional methods in improving sperm quality parameters.

Main Methods:

• Analysis of 30 human sperm samples undergoing intracytoplasmic sperm injection.
• Comparison of three groups: initial sample (control), direct swim-up, and rheotaxis microfluidic device selection.
• Evaluation of sperm concentration, motility, morphology, mitochondrial membrane potential (MMP), and DNA fragmentation index (DFI).

Main Results:

• Rheotaxis device significantly reduced sperm concentration and DNA fragmentation index (DFI) compared to control.
• Progressive motility, normal morphology, and MMP were significantly higher in sperm selected by the rheotaxis device.
• Statistical analysis confirmed significant differences (p<0.0001) across all evaluated parameters.

Conclusions:

• The rheotaxis-based microfluidic device effectively selects high-quality sperm.
• This technology demonstrates potential for improving ART outcomes by enhancing sperm parameters.
• The device offers a superior alternative to conventional sperm selection methods.