Evaluation of the Feasibility of a Microfluidic Method Using the ZYMŌT System for Canine Sperm Selection

The ZyMōt system is one of the commercially available sperm selection tools based on the microfluidic method. The aim of this study was to evaluate the potential of the ZyMōt system for the selection of canine sperm. Semen samples from six dogs were subjected to selection. Spermatozoa were assessed using basic and advanced methods of semen analysis, including computer-assisted sperm analysis and flow cytometry. Sperm viability, morphology, motility and morphostructural features, such as cell membrane integrity, acrosome integrity and mitochondrial membrane potential, were assessed. The results revealed that the ZyMōt membrane is able to retain dead, slow-moving, immotile and morphologically abnormal spermatozoa. However, no significant improvement was observed in any of the evaluated parameters in the selected sperm population. Moreover, the selection process resulted in substantial losses in the total number of sperm. For this reason, the ZyMōt system is not applicable for dog sperm selection under the currently developed protocol. Further research is necessary to adapt this method for use in this species.