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Sperm Preparation in ART: Traditional Methods and Emerging Technologies
Constantine S Velmahos1, Charles L Bormann2
1Department of Urology, Massachusetts General Hospital and Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, USA.
Abstract:
Sperm preparation techniques are essential for enhancing fertilization potential by isolating motile, viable sperm while removing harmful components such as debris, reactive oxygen species (ROS), and immotile sperm. These methods are fundamental to assisted reproductive technologies (ART), optimizing outcomes in procedures like intrauterine insemination (IUI) and in vitro fertilization (IVF). Traditionally, sperm processing has been categorized into three primary techniques: density gradient centrifugation, swim-up, and simple wash. This chapter provides detailed protocols for these classic methods while exploring advanced techniques such as microfluidics, which offer improved precision and efficiency in sperm selection for ART applications.
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