Microfluidic Sperm Preparation
What is Microfluidic sperm preparation?
Microfluidic sperm preparation is technique used in fertility treatment to select high-quality sperm from a semen sample. This technique avoids the traditional centrifugation technique for sperm preparation, avoiding inducing DNA damage and oxidative stress to the sperm.
Microfluidic sperm preparation uses a specialized chip that mimics the natural selection process of sperm in the womb. The chip is made up of small channels that sperm must travel through. The device filters sperm based on motility, morphology, and DNA integrity, potentially isolating the most viable sperm for use in treatment.
Who should consider it?
This technique may be particularly beneficial for:
- Any form of fertility treatment
- Couples with male factor infertility
- Patients with high levels of sperm DNA fragmentation
It is not suitable for cases of sever male factor inferitlity, though, as it would not be able to yield enough sperm for treatment.
What does the research say?
Recent studies have investigated the effectiveness of using microfluidic sorting devices for sperm selection in IVF treatments. Two studies specifically demonstrated that samples processed by microfluidic sorting showed lower DNA fragmentation compared to those processed with the standard density-gradient centrifugation method1,2.Recent Research by MyFertility’s co-founder also found that microfluidic sorting methods like FERTILE PLUS™ can enhance embryo quality and outcomes 3 . This adds on to the existing published literature suggests that microfluidic sorting could potentially improve the quality of sperm used in fertility treatment.
However, when it comes to improving live birth rates, a recent randomized controlled trial found no significant benefit of this method over conventional sperm preparation techniques3.
Safety
Microfluidic sperm preparation does not pose any additional safety concerns. This technique does not involve chemical treatments or harsh centrifugation processes.
myfertility’s take on Microfluidic sperm preparation
Traditional methods of preparing sperm for treatment actually induce DNA damage in sperm, whereas using these devices doesn’t, so we are huge fans of this technology (Plus it considerably improves lab efficiency). However, While microfluidic sperm preparation shows promise, it's important to note that more large-scale clinical trials are needed to definitively establish its superiority over conventional methods.
When you're going through a challenging and emotional journey like fertility treatment, it can be tempting to try everything available. However, it's crucial to remember that more isn't always better. Over-promises on the benefits of new technologies or "add-ons" might not deliver meaningful results. That’s why we believe that being well-informed about your fertility treatment options can significantly improve your infertility treatment journey.
It's important to consult with a fertility specialist to determine the most appropriate treatment for your specific situation.
If you want to learn more about the best fertility clinics for you, and which clinics do these treatments, be sure to check out our clinic finder and clinic matcher. We built these tools to help you find and match with IVF clinics and fertility specialists near you, and filter through them all based on their success rates, prices, patient reviews, technologies and support services offered.
Find low cost IVF near you and top fertility clinics near you, and get a breakdown of all the hidden IVF costs and what to look our for. You can also join the myfertility circle on slack and chat with with other patients going through their fertility journey and our team of dedicated and experienced experts.
Find a Clinic Today
We provide you with relevant data to connect you with the right fertility clinic.