MicroSort® sperm sorting causes no increase in major malformation rate

Area of Science:

• Reproductive Medicine
• Genetics
• Perinatology

Background:

• Sperm sorting technologies aim to improve reproductive outcomes.
• Assessing the safety of sperm sorting, specifically MicroSort, is crucial for clinical application.
• Previous data on malformation rates after sperm sorting is limited.

Purpose of the Study:

• To evaluate the safety of MicroSort sperm sorting.
• To monitor major malformations in infants and fetuses conceived using sorted sperm.
• To compare malformation rates in MicroSort pregnancies with control groups.

Main Methods:

• Prospective data collection from conception through one year of infant life.
• Comprehensive ascertainment of major malformations in fetuses, stillbirths, and live-born infants.
• Comparison of MicroSort pregnancy outcomes with published data from assisted reproduction and general populations.

Main Results:

• The rate of major malformations in MicroSort pregnancies conceived via IVF was 7.8%, not significantly different from assisted reproductive technology controls (8.3-9.2%).
• The rate of major malformations in MicroSort pregnancies conceived via IUI was 6.0%, not significantly different from non-assisted reproductive technology controls (4.6-6.9%).
• No association was found between MicroSort sperm sorting and major malformations.

Conclusions:

• MicroSort sperm sorting is a safe technology.
• There is no increased risk of major malformations in infants conceived using MicroSort sperm.
• Further research can build upon these findings to support assisted reproductive technologies.