Sperm Selection by Microfluidics

Microfluidic sperm selection is a modern, non-invasive, and low-risk technique that has been developed since the 1990s and has recently entered clinical application in embryology and IVF laboratories. It is used to select healthier, higher-quality sperm for assisted reproduction.

In this method, sperm pass through specially designed microchannels. Only healthy sperm with normal motility are able to reach the end of the pathway, while damaged sperm or those with fragmented DNA are eliminated along the way.

The microfluidic technique mimics the natural filtration process of the female reproductive tract and avoids centrifugation, thereby reducing oxidative stress on sperm. This results in:

• A significant reduction in DNA fragmentation
• Improved sperm parameters, including higher progressive motility and better morphology

Studies have shown that in certain cases, this method can improve fertility outcomes such as fertilization rates, embryo implantation, and clinical pregnancy rates.