A nanoprobe-integrated capillary sensing system for highly sensitive SERS detection of neutral α-glucosidase in semen

The incidence of male infertility is increasing year by year, with obstructive azoospermia being the main cause of infertility. The activity of neutral α-glucosidase plays an important role in diagnosing obstructive azoospermia. In order to effectively and non-invasively distinguish obstructive azoospermia, we have developed a rapid and sensitive surface-enhanced Raman spectroscopy (SERS) detection platform for neutral α-glucosidase in semen by combining nanoprobes with capillary systems labeled with capture antibodies. This platform utilizes a minimally invasive sampling method of capillary, avoiding the complex sampling and separation steps in conventional clinical examinations. By combining Ag@MnO₂ core-shell composite nanoparticles prepared through rational design with tetramethylbenzidine (TMB), precise differentiation of obstructive azoospermia patients and healthy donors can be achieved in a short time. The successful implementation of nanoprobe-integrated capillary sensing system provides a novel, efficient, and clinically feasible method for highly sensitive detection of neutral α-glucosidase in semen and precise diagnosis of obstructive azoospermia, with broad prospects for biomedical applications.