Sperm selection is an integral part of the IVF process.
One of the success keys of IVF is the isolation of viable, motile, and morphologically normal sperm from the semen sample.
Sperm selection is an integral part of the IVF process.
One of the success keys of IVF is the isolation of viable, motile, and morphologically normal sperm from the semen sample.
This is an important step because the right selection increases the chances of in-vitro fertilization of eggs conducted in the properly designed laboratory set up by the experts.
In the conventional technique, the sperm isolation was conducted by using a high-speed centrifuge, or G-force inducing spinning machine.
But the high force during spinning often causes the damage of the sophisticated DNA embedded inside the sperm’s head.
Conduction of egg fertilization with such damaged sperm restricts the viable embryo development for transplantation into the womb.
It has been estimated that a single cycle of IVF success rate conducted on under 35 years aged female is 21.5%, which is considered quite low.
Therefore, in respect of both financial and emotional aspects, couples who have undergone IVF treatment due to their fertility problem often experience a dilemma in both emotional and financial aspects.
Therefore, it is high time for the advancement of the sperm selection process to increase the rate of full-term live birth and improvement of IVF success rate.
Afrouz Ataei recently invented a microchip device.
She claimed this device is an inexpensive and effective solution to separate the sperm with less damaging DNA.
The inventor has expected this device may improve the success rate of IVF.
Afrouz Ataei from Florida Atlantic University represented her statistical analysis report at the American Physical Society March Meeting in Boston on 4th March 2019.
In this meeting, she represented the fitness of sperm isolated by her invented device.
The demonstration of her invented device had proven that this medical device could manage the faster motile sperm selection.
Sperm swims on the semen sample without following centrifugal DNA damaging step.
The mechanism of this device follows the sperms, which float against a contrasting flow of liquid at certain flow rates.
A hydrostatic pressure induced by the microchip present in this device generates liquid flow without using other equipment.
Afrouz Ataei also reported yet now no such device is invented which able to generate the flow in the presented manner.
The operation process of this device is also simple.
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The semen sample needs to inject into the microchip inlet until the lower microchamber filled up is attached to this device.
Then the sperm gradually starts to swim upstream against the flow.
The healthy and motile sperms pass the ultrathin membrane filter attached to the device and are collected in a chamber fitted on the device as a finished product.
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After 45 minutes, the sample is collected from the chamber attached at the top of the device.
Then the expert team had analyzed the rate of motility of sperm, DNA fragmentation rate compared with the conventional centrifugal method.
Afrouz Ataei had also monitored the fitness of sperm through statistical analysis.
The observation of this test report found that the number of motile sperm was higher than the conventional method.
The inventor expected this device ready for clinical application.
However, the researchers are continuing their investigation at Florida Atlantic University for filing the patent.
Ravi Sharma is a self-motivated, successful entrepreneur and has a solid experience in the fertility segment. and he is the director at ARTbaby Global (ARThealthcare). He is a pharmacy graduate with post-graduation in business administration and has 14 years of rich experience in the field of infertility segment. He loves to write about IVF, Surrogacy, and other ART (assisted reproductive technology) news, issues, and updates. He is a Pharmacy graduate (B. Pharm) and M.B.A (marketing).
His most recent success includes the successful launch of the medical tourism company, ARTbaby, which offers treatment options for infertility, egg donation, and surrogacy. He likes spending time with his family and writing about various aspects of IVF surrogacy and donating eggs.