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Mu Y, Zhou X, Li L, Liu X, Wen X, Zhang L, Yan B, Zhang W, Dong K, Hu H, Liao Y, Ye Z, Deng A, Wang Y, Mao Z, Yang M, Xiao X. Automatic high-throughput and non-invasive selection of sperm at the biochemical level. MED 2024; 5:603-621.e7. [PMID: 38608708 DOI: 10.1016/j.medj.2024.03.008] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/19/2023] [Revised: 11/06/2023] [Accepted: 03/11/2024] [Indexed: 04/14/2024]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Sperm selection, a key step in assisted reproductive technology (ART), has long been restrained at the preliminary physical level (morphology or motility); however, subsequent fertilization and embryogenesis are complicated biochemical processes. Such an enormous "gap" poses tough problems for couples dealing with infertility, especially patients with severe/total asthenozoospermia . METHODS We developed a biochemical-level, automatic-screening/separation, smart droplet-TO-hydrogel chip (BLASTO-chip) for sperm selection. The droplet can sense the pH change caused by sperm's respiration products and then transforms into a hydrogel to be selected out. FINDINGS The BLASTO-chip system can select biochemically active sperm with an accuracy of over 90%, and its selection efficiency can be flexibly tuned by nearly 10-fold. All the substances in the system were proven to be biosafe via evaluating mice fertilization and offspring health. Live sperm down to 1% could be enriched by over 76-fold to 76%. For clinical application to patients with severe/total asthenozoospermia, the BLASTO-chip could select live sperm from human semen samples containing 10% live but 100% immotile sperm. The rates of fertilization, cleavage, early embryos, and blastocysts were drastically elevated from 15% to 70.83%, 10% to 62.5%, 5% to 37.5%, and 0% to 16.67%, respectively. CONCLUSIONS The BLASTO-chip represents a real biochemical-level technology for sperm selection that is completely independent of sperm's motility. It can be a powerful tool in ART, especially for patients with severe/total asthenozoospermia. FUNDING This work was funded by the Ministry of Science and Technology of China, the Ministry of Education of China, and the Shenzhen-Hong Kong Hetao Cooperation Zone.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yaoqin Mu
- Institute of Reproductive Health, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan 430030, China
| | - Xiaoyu Zhou
- Department of Precision Diagnostic and Therapeutic Technology (FRI), Department of Biomedical Sciences and Tung Biomedical Sciences Centre, Key Laboratory of Biochip Technology and Biotech and Health Centre (SRI), City University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong, China
| | - Longjie Li
- School of Life Science and Technology, Wuhan Polytechnic University, Wuhan 430023, China
| | - Xiaowen Liu
- Hunan Provincial Key Laboratory of Regional Hereditary Birth Defects Prevention and Control, Changsha Hospital for Maternal & Child Health Care Affiliated to Hunan Normal University, Changsha, China
| | - Xu Wen
- Institute of Reproductive Health, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan 430030, China
| | - Lei Zhang
- Institute of Reproductive Health, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan 430030, China
| | - Bei Yan
- Institute of Reproductive Health, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan 430030, China
| | - Wei Zhang
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Union Hospital, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan 430023, China
| | - Kejun Dong
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Union Hospital, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan 430023, China
| | - Hao Hu
- Institute of Reproductive Health, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan 430030, China
| | - Yangwei Liao
- Department of Biliary-Pancreatic Surgery, Affiliated Tongji Hospital, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan 430030, China
| | - Zhengxin Ye
- Institute of Reproductive Health, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan 430030, China
| | - Aimin Deng
- Hunan Provincial Key Laboratory of Regional Hereditary Birth Defects Prevention and Control, Changsha Hospital for Maternal & Child Health Care Affiliated to Hunan Normal University, Changsha, China
| | - Yuan Wang
- Department of Precision Diagnostic and Therapeutic Technology (FRI), Department of Biomedical Sciences and Tung Biomedical Sciences Centre, Key Laboratory of Biochip Technology and Biotech and Health Centre (SRI), City University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong, China
| | - Zenghui Mao
- Hunan Provincial Key Laboratory of Regional Hereditary Birth Defects Prevention and Control, Changsha Hospital for Maternal & Child Health Care Affiliated to Hunan Normal University, Changsha, China.
| | - Mengsu Yang
- Department of Precision Diagnostic and Therapeutic Technology (FRI), Department of Biomedical Sciences and Tung Biomedical Sciences Centre, Key Laboratory of Biochip Technology and Biotech and Health Centre (SRI), City University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong, China.
| | - Xianjin Xiao
- Institute of Reproductive Health, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan 430030, China.
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2
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Leishangthem P, Xu X. Thermodynamic Effects Are Essential for Surface Entrapment of Bacteria. PHYSICAL REVIEW LETTERS 2024; 132:238302. [PMID: 38905690 DOI: 10.1103/physrevlett.132.238302] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/27/2023] [Revised: 03/12/2024] [Accepted: 04/17/2024] [Indexed: 06/23/2024]
Abstract
The entrapment of bacteria near boundary surfaces is of biological and practical importance, yet the underlying physics is not well understood. We demonstrate that it is crucial to include a commonly neglected thermodynamic effect related to the spatial variation of hydrodynamic interactions, through a model that provides analytic explanation of bacterial entrapment in two dimensionless parameters: α_{1} the ratio of thermal energy to self-propulsion, and α_{2} an intrinsic shape factor. For α_{1} and α_{2} that match an Escherichia coli at room temperature, our model quantitatively reproduces existing experimental observations, including two key features that have not been previously resolved: The bacterial "nose-down" configuration, and the anticorrelation between the pitch angle and the wobbling angle. Furthermore, our model analytically predicts the existence of an entrapment zone in the parameter space defined by {α_{1},α_{2}}.
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Affiliation(s)
- Premkumar Leishangthem
- Complex Systems Division, Beijing Computational Science Research Center, Beijing 100193, China
| | - Xinliang Xu
- Complex Systems Division, Beijing Computational Science Research Center, Beijing 100193, China
- Department of Physics, Beijing Normal University, Beijing 100875, China
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3
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Seraj H, Nazari MA, Atai AA, Amanpour S, Azadi M. A Review: Biomechanical Aspects of the Fallopian Tube Relevant to its Function in Fertility. Reprod Sci 2024; 31:1456-1485. [PMID: 38472710 DOI: 10.1007/s43032-024-01479-x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/06/2023] [Accepted: 02/07/2024] [Indexed: 03/14/2024]
Abstract
The fallopian tube (FT) plays a crucial role in the reproductive process by providing an ideal biomechanical and biochemical environment for fertilization and early embryo development. Despite its importance, the biomechanical functions of the FT that originate from its morphological aspects, and ultrastructural aspects, as well as the mechanical properties of FT, have not been studied nor used sufficiently, which limits the understanding of fertilization, mechanotrasduction, and mechanobiology during embryo development, as well as the replication of the FT in laboratory settings for infertility treatments. This paper reviews and revives valuable information on human FT reported in medical literature in the past five decades relevant to the biomechanical aspects of FT. In this review, we summarized the current state of knowledge concerning the morphological, ultrastructural aspects, and mechanical properties of the human FT. We also investigate the potential arising from a thorough consideration of the biomechanical functions and exploring often neglected mechanical aspects. Our investigation encompasses both macroscopic measurements (such as length, diameter, and thickness) and microscopic measurements (including the height of epithelial cells, the percentage of ciliated cells, cilia structure, and ciliary beat frequency). Our primary focus has been on healthy women of reproductive age. We have examined various measurement techniques, encompassing conventional metrology, 2D histological data as well as new spatial measurement techniques such as micro-CT.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hasan Seraj
- School of Mechanical Engineering, College of Engineering, University of Tehran, Tehran, Iran
| | - Mohammad Ali Nazari
- School of Mechanical Engineering, College of Engineering, University of Tehran, Tehran, Iran.
- Department of Speech and Cognition, CNRS UMR 5216, Grenoble Institute of Technology, Grenoble, France.
| | - Ali Asghar Atai
- School of Mechanical Engineering, College of Engineering, University of Tehran, Tehran, Iran
| | - Saeid Amanpour
- Vali-E-Asr Reproductive Health Research Center, Tehran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran
- Cancer Biology Research Center, Tehran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran
| | - Mojtaba Azadi
- School of Engineering, College of Science and Engineering, San Francisco State University, San Francisco, CA, USA.
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4
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Yang Y, Vagin SI, Rieger B, Destgeer G. Fabrication of Crescent Shaped Microparticles for Particle Templated Droplet Formation. Macromol Rapid Commun 2024:e2300721. [PMID: 38615246 DOI: 10.1002/marc.202300721] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/12/2023] [Revised: 04/08/2024] [Indexed: 04/15/2024]
Abstract
Crescent-shaped hydrogel microparticles are shown to template uniform volume aqueous droplets upon simple mixing with aqueous and oil media for various bioassays. This emerging "lab on a particle" technique requires hydrogel particles with tunable material properties and dimensions. The crescent shape of the particles is attained by aqueous two-phase separation of polymers followed by photopolymerization of the curable precursor. In this work, the phase separation of poly(ethylene glycol) diacrylate (PEGDA, Mw 700) and dextran (Mw 40 000) for tunable manufacturing of crescent-shaped particles is investigated. The particles' morphology is precisely tuned by following a phase diagram, varying the UV intensity, and adjusting the flow rates of various streams. The fabricated particles with variable dimensions encapsulate uniform aqueous droplets upon mixing with an oil phase. The particles are fluorescently labeled with red and blue emitting dyes at variable concentrations to produce six color-coded particles. The blue fluorescent dye shows a moderate response to the pH change. The fluorescently labeled particles are able to tolerate an extremely acidic solution (pH 1) but disintegrate within an extremely basic solution (pH 14). The particle-templated droplets are able to effectively retain the disintegrating particle and the fluorescent signal at pH 14.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yimin Yang
- Control and Manipulation of Microscale Living Objects, Department of Electrical Engineering, TUM School of Computation, Information and Technology, TranslaTUM - Center for Translational Cancer Research, Technical University of Munich, Einsteinstraße 25, 81675, Munich, Germany
| | - Sergei I Vagin
- WACKER-Chair of Macromolecular Chemistry, Department of Chemistry, TUM School of Natural Sciences, Technical University of Munich, Lichtenbergstraße 4, 85748, Garching, Germany
| | - Bernhard Rieger
- WACKER-Chair of Macromolecular Chemistry, Department of Chemistry, TUM School of Natural Sciences, Technical University of Munich, Lichtenbergstraße 4, 85748, Garching, Germany
| | - Ghulam Destgeer
- Control and Manipulation of Microscale Living Objects, Department of Electrical Engineering, TUM School of Computation, Information and Technology, TranslaTUM - Center for Translational Cancer Research, Technical University of Munich, Einsteinstraße 25, 81675, Munich, Germany
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5
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Nassir M, Levi M, Wiser A, Shaked NT. Evaluation of women's aging influence on sperm passage inside the fallopian tube using 3D dynamic mechanical modeling. Front Bioeng Biotechnol 2024; 12:1324802. [PMID: 38712332 PMCID: PMC11070836 DOI: 10.3389/fbioe.2024.1324802] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/20/2023] [Accepted: 02/27/2024] [Indexed: 05/08/2024] Open
Abstract
The fallopian tubes play an important role in human fertility by facilitating the spermatozoa passage to the oocyte as well as later actively facilitating the fertilized oocyte transportation to the uterus cavity. The fallopian tubes undergo changes involving biological, physical, and morphological processes due to women aging, which may impair fertility. Here, we have modelled fallopian tubes of women at different ages and evaluated the chances of normal and pathological sperm cells reaching the fertilization site, the ampulla. By utilizing a unique combination of simulative tools, we implemented dynamic three-dimensional (3D) detailed geometrical models of many normal and pathological sperm cells swimming together in 3D geometrical models of three fallopian tubes associated with different women's age groups. By tracking the sperm cell swim, we found that for all age groups, the number of normal sperm cells in the ampulla is the largest, compared with the pathological sperm cells. On the other hand, the number of normal sperm cells in the fertilization site decreases due to the morphological and mechanical changes that occur in the fallopian tube with age. Moreover, in older ages, the normal sperm cells swim with lower velocities and for shorter distances inside the ampulla toward the ovary. Thus, the changes that the human fallopian tube undergoes due to women's aging have a significant influence on the human sperm cell motility. Our model of sperm cell motility through the fallopian tube in relation to the woman's age morphological changes provides a new scope for the investigation and treatment of diseases and infertility cases associated with aging, as well as a potential personalized medicine tool for evaluating the chances of a natural fertilization per specific features of a man's sperm and a woman's reproductive system.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mayssam Nassir
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, Faculty of Engineering, Tel Aviv University, Tel Aviv, Israel
| | - Mattan Levi
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, Faculty of Engineering, Tel Aviv University, Tel Aviv, Israel
| | - Amir Wiser
- Faculty of Medicine, Tel Aviv University, Tel Aviv, Israel
| | - Natan T. Shaked
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, Faculty of Engineering, Tel Aviv University, Tel Aviv, Israel
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6
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Vafaie A, Raveshi MR, Devendran C, Nosrati R, Neild A. Making immotile sperm motile using high-frequency ultrasound. SCIENCE ADVANCES 2024; 10:eadk2864. [PMID: 38354240 PMCID: PMC10866541 DOI: 10.1126/sciadv.adk2864] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/13/2023] [Accepted: 01/12/2024] [Indexed: 02/16/2024]
Abstract
Sperm motility is a natural selection with a crucial role in both natural and assisted reproduction. Common methods for increasing sperm motility are by using chemicals that cause embryotoxicity, and the multistep washing requirements of these methods lead to sperm DNA damage. We propose a rapid and noninvasive mechanotherapy approach for increasing the motility of human sperm cells by using ultrasound operating at 800 mW and 40 MHz. Single-cell analysis of sperm cells, facilitated by droplet microfluidics, shows that exposure to ultrasound leads to up to 266% boost to motility parameters of relatively immotile sperm, and as a result, 72% of these immotile sperm are graded as progressive after exposure, with a swimming velocity greater than 5 micrometer per second. These promising results offer a rapid and noninvasive clinical method for improving the motility of sperm cells in the most challenging assisted reproduction cases to replace intracytoplasmic sperm injection (ICSI) with less invasive treatments and to improve assisted reproduction outcomes.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ali Vafaie
- Department of Mechanical and Aerospace Engineering, Monash University, Clayton, Victoria 3800, Australia
| | - Mohammad Reza Raveshi
- Department of Mechanical and Aerospace Engineering, Monash University, Clayton, Victoria 3800, Australia
| | - Citsabehsan Devendran
- Department of Mechanical and Aerospace Engineering, Monash University, Clayton, Victoria 3800, Australia
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7
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Miller DJ. Sperm in the Mammalian Female Reproductive Tract: Surfing Through the Tract to Try to Beat the Odds. Annu Rev Anim Biosci 2024; 12:301-319. [PMID: 37906840 PMCID: PMC11149062 DOI: 10.1146/annurev-animal-021022-040629] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/02/2023]
Abstract
Mammalian sperm are deposited in the vagina or the cervix/uterus at coitus or at artificial insemination, and the fertilizing sperm move through the female reproductive tract to the ampulla of the oviduct, the site of fertilization. But the destination of most sperm is not the oviduct. Most sperm are carried by retrograde fluid flow to the vagina, are phagocytosed, and/or do not pass barriers on the pathway to the oviduct. The sperm that reach the site of fertilization are the exceptions and winners of one of the most stringent selection processes in nature. This review discusses the challenges sperm encounter and how the few sperm that reach the site of fertilization overcome them. The sperm that reach the goal must navigate viscoelastic fluid, swim vigorously and cooperatively along the walls of the female tract, avoid the innate immune system, and respond to potential cues to direct their movement.
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Affiliation(s)
- David J Miller
- Department of Animal Sciences and Institute for Genomic Biology, University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign, Urbana, Illinois, USA;
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8
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Jahangiri AR, Ziarati N, Dadkhah E, Bucak MN, Rahimizadeh P, Shahverdi A, Sadighi Gilani MA, Topraggaleh TR. Microfluidics: The future of sperm selection in assisted reproduction. Andrology 2023. [PMID: 38148634 DOI: 10.1111/andr.13578] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/16/2022] [Revised: 11/03/2023] [Accepted: 12/10/2023] [Indexed: 12/28/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Obtaining functional sperm cells is the first step to treat infertility. With the ever-increasing trend in male infertility, clinicians require access to effective solutions that are able to single out the most viable spermatozoa, which would max out the chance for a successful pregnancy. The new generation techniques for sperm selection involve microfluidics, which offers laminar flow and low Reynolds number within the platforms can provide unprecedented opportunities for sperm selection. Previous studies showed that microfluidic platforms can provide a novel approach to this challenge and since then researchers across the globe have attacked this problem from multiple angles. OBJECTIVE In this review, we seek to provide a much-needed bridge between the technical and medical aspects of microfluidic sperm selection. Here, we provide an up-to-date list on microfluidic sperm selection procedures and its application in assisted reproductive technology laboratories. SEARCH METHOD A literature search was performed in Web of Science, PubMed, and Scopus to select papers reporting microfluidic sperm selection using the keywords: microfluidic sperm selection, self-motility, non-motile sperm selection, boundary following, rheotaxis, chemotaxis, and thermotaxis. Papers published before March 31, 2023 were selected. OUTCOMES Our results show that most studies have used motility-based properties for sperm selection. However, microfluidic platforms are ripe for making use of other properties such as chemotaxis and especially rheotaxis. We have identified that low throughput is one of the major hurdles to current microfluidic sperm selection chips, which can be solved via parallelization. CONCLUSION Future work needs to be performed on numerical simulation of the microfluidics chip prior to fabrication as well as relevant clinical assessment after the selection procedure. This would require a close collaboration and understanding among engineers, biologists, and medical professionals. It is interesting that in spite of two decades of microfluidics sperm selection, numerical simulation and clinical studies are lagging behind. It is expected that microfluidic sperm selection platforms will play a major role in the development of fully integrated start-to-finish assisted reproductive technology systems.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ali Reza Jahangiri
- NanoLund, Lund University, Lund, Sweden
- Materials Science and Applied Mathematics, Malmö University, Malmö, Sweden
| | - Niloofar Ziarati
- Department of Embryology, Reproductive Biomedicine Research Center, Royan Institute for Reproductive Biomedicine, ACECR, Tehran, Iran
| | - Ehsan Dadkhah
- Department of Embryology, Reproductive Biomedicine Research Center, Royan Institute for Reproductive Biomedicine, ACECR, Tehran, Iran
- Department of Mechanical Engineering, Sharif University of Technology, Tehran, Iran
| | - Mustafa Numan Bucak
- Department of Reproduction and Artificial Insemination, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Selcuk University, Konya, Turkey
| | - Pegah Rahimizadeh
- Division of Experimental Surgery, McGill University, Montreal, Quebec, Canada
- Cancer Research Program, The Research Institute of the McGill University Health Centre, Montreal, Quebec, Canada
| | - Abdolhossein Shahverdi
- Department of Embryology, Reproductive Biomedicine Research Center, Royan Institute for Reproductive Biomedicine, ACECR, Tehran, Iran
| | - Mohammad Ali Sadighi Gilani
- Department of Andrology, Reproductive Biomedicine Research Center, Royan Institute for Reproductive Biomedicine, ACECR, Tehran, Iran
| | - Tohid Rezaei Topraggaleh
- Reproductive Health Research Center, Clinical Research Institute, Urmia University of Medical Sciences, Urmia, Iran
- Department of Anatomical Sciences, School of Medicine, Urmia University of Medical Sciences, Urmia, Iran
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Yazdan Parast F, Veeraragavan S, Gaikwad AS, Powar S, Prabhakar R, O'Bryan MK, Nosrati R. Viscous Loading Regulates the Flagellar Energetics of Human and Bull Sperm. SMALL METHODS 2023:e2300928. [PMID: 38135876 DOI: 10.1002/smtd.202300928] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/24/2023] [Revised: 12/04/2023] [Indexed: 12/24/2023]
Abstract
The viscoelastic properties of the female reproductive tract influence sperm swimming behavior, but the exact role of these rheological changes in regulating sperm energetics remains unknown. Using high-speed dark-field microscopy, the flagellar dynamics of free-swimming sperm across a physiologically relevant range of viscosities is resolved. A transition from 3D to 2D slither swimming under an increased viscous loading is revealed, in the absence of any geometrical or chemical stimuli. This transition is species-specific, aligning with viscosity variations within each species' reproductive tract. Despite substantial drag increase, 2D slithering sperm maintain a steady swimming speed across a wide viscosity range (20-250 and 75-1000 mPa s for bull and human sperm) by dissipating over sixfold more energy into the fluid without elevating metabolic activity, potentially by altering the mechanisms of dynein motor activity. This energy-efficient motility mode is ideally suited for the viscous environment of the female reproductive tract.
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Affiliation(s)
- Farin Yazdan Parast
- Department of Mechanical and Aerospace Engineering, Monash University, Clayton, Victoria, 3800, Australia
| | - Shibani Veeraragavan
- Department of Mechanical and Aerospace Engineering, Monash University, Clayton, Victoria, 3800, Australia
| | - Avinash S Gaikwad
- Institute of Reproductive Genetics, University of Münster, 48149, Münster, Germany
- School of BioSciences and Bio21 Institute, Faculty of Science, University of Melbourne, Parkville, Victoria, 3010, Australia
| | - Sushant Powar
- Department of Mechanical and Aerospace Engineering, Monash University, Clayton, Victoria, 3800, Australia
| | - Ranganathan Prabhakar
- Department of Mechanical and Aerospace Engineering, Monash University, Clayton, Victoria, 3800, Australia
| | - Moira K O'Bryan
- School of BioSciences and Bio21 Institute, Faculty of Science, University of Melbourne, Parkville, Victoria, 3010, Australia
| | - Reza Nosrati
- Department of Mechanical and Aerospace Engineering, Monash University, Clayton, Victoria, 3800, Australia
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10
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Shukla SK, Gaudriault P, Corbera A. Lab-on-chip (LoC) application for quality sperm selection: An undelivered promise? OPEN RESEARCH EUROPE 2023; 3:188. [PMID: 38645796 PMCID: PMC11031645 DOI: 10.12688/openreseurope.16671.1] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 10/09/2023] [Indexed: 04/23/2024]
Abstract
Quality sperm selection is essential to ensure the effectiveness of assisted reproductive techniques (ART). However, the methods employed for sperm selection in ART often yield suboptimal outcomes, contributing to lower success rates. In recent years, microfluidic devices have emerged as a promising avenue for investigating the natural swimming behavior of spermatozoa and developing innovative approaches for quality sperm selection. Despite their potential, the commercial translation of microfluidic-based technologies has remained limited. This comprehensive review aims to critically evaluate the inherent potential of lab-on-chip technology in unraveling sophisticated mechanisms encompassing rheotaxis, thermotaxis, and chemotaxis. By reviewing the current state-of-the-art associated with microfluidic engineering and the swimming of spermatozoa, the goal is to shed light on the multifaceted factors that have impeded the broader commercialization of these cutting-edge technologies and recommend a commercial that can surmount the prevailing constraints. Furthermore, this scholarly exploration seeks to enlighten and actively engage reproductive clinicians in the profound potential and implications of microfluidic methodologies within the context of human infertility.
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Affiliation(s)
- Shiva K Shukla
- Research and Development Unit, Beez Biotech SAS, RENNES, Ille-et-Villain, 35000, France
| | - Pierre Gaudriault
- Research and Development Unit, Cherry Biotech SAS, Paris, 93100, France
| | - Antoni Corbera
- Research and Development Unit, Cherry Biotech SAS, Paris, 93100, France
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11
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Gardner DK, Sakkas D. Making and selecting the best embryo in the laboratory. Fertil Steril 2023; 120:457-466. [PMID: 36521518 DOI: 10.1016/j.fertnstert.2022.11.007] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/04/2022] [Revised: 10/20/2022] [Accepted: 11/07/2022] [Indexed: 12/15/2022]
Abstract
Over the past 4 decades our ability to maintain a viable human embryo in vitro has improved dramatically, leading to higher implantation rates. This has led to a notable shift to single blastocyst transfer and the ensuing elimination of high order multiple gestations. Future improvements to embryo culture systems will not only come from new improved innovative media formulations (such as the inclusion of antioxidants), but plausibly by moving away from static culture to more dynamic perfusion-based systems now made a reality owing to the breakthroughs in three-dimensional printing technology and micro fabrication. Such an approach has already made it feasible to create high resolution devices for intracytoplasmic sperm injection, culture, and cryopreservation, paving the way not only for improvements in outcomes but also automation of assisted reproductive technology. Although improvements in culture systems can lead to further increases in pregnancy outcomes, the ability to quantitate biomarkers of embryo health and viability will reduce time to pregnancy and decrease pregnancy loss. Currently artificial intelligence is being used to assess embryo development through image analysis, but we predict its power will be realized through the creation of selection algorithms based on the integration of information related to metabolic functions, cell-free DNA, and morphokinetics, thereby using vast amounts of different data types obtained for each embryo to predict outcomes. All of this will not only make assisted reproductive technology more effective, but it will also make it more cost effective, thereby increasing patient access to infertility treatment worldwide.
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Affiliation(s)
- David K Gardner
- Melbourne IVF, East Melbourne, Victoria, Australia; School of BioSciences, University of Melbourne, Melbourne, Victoria, Australia.
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12
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Zaferani M, Abbaspourrad A. Biphasic Chemokinesis of Mammalian Sperm. PHYSICAL REVIEW LETTERS 2023; 130:248401. [PMID: 37390449 DOI: 10.1103/physrevlett.130.248401] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/31/2022] [Accepted: 04/03/2023] [Indexed: 07/02/2023]
Abstract
The female reproductive tract (FRT) continuously modulates mammalian sperm motion by releasing various clues as sperm migrate toward the fertilization site. An existing gap in our understanding of sperm migration within the FRT is a quantitative picture of how sperm respond to and navigate the biochemical clues within the FRT. In this experimental study, we have found that in response to biochemical clues, mammalian sperm display two distinct chemokinetic behaviors which are dependent upon the rheological properties of the media: chiral, characterized by swimming in circles; and hyperactive, characterized by random reorientation events. We used minimal theoretical modeling, along with statistical characterization of the chiral and hyperactive trajectories, to show that the effective diffusivity of these motion phases decreases with increasing concentration of chemical stimulant. In the context of navigation this concentration dependent chemokinesis suggests that the chiral or hyperactive motion refines the sperm search area within different FRT functional regions. Further, the ability to switch between phases indicates that sperm may use various stochastic navigational strategies, such as run and tumble or intermittent search, within the fluctuating and spatially heterogeneous environment of the FRT.
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Affiliation(s)
- Meisam Zaferani
- Department of Food Science, Cornell University, Ithaca 14850, New York, USA
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13
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Xiao S, Riordon J, Lagunov A, Ghaffarzadeh M, Hannam T, Nosrati R, Sinton D. Human sperm cooperate to transit highly viscous regions on the competitive pathway to fertilization. Commun Biol 2023; 6:495. [PMID: 37149719 PMCID: PMC10164193 DOI: 10.1038/s42003-023-04875-2] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/23/2022] [Accepted: 04/26/2023] [Indexed: 05/08/2023] Open
Abstract
Human sperm compete for fertilization. Here, we find that human sperm, unexpectedly, cooperate under conditions mimicking the viscosity contrasts in the female reproductive tract. Sperm attach at the head region to migrate as a cooperative group upon transit into and through a high viscosity medium (15-100 cP) from low viscosity seminal fluid. Sperm groups benefit from higher swimming velocity, exceeding that of individual sperm by over 50%. We find that sperm associated with a group possess high DNA integrity (7% fragmentation index) - a stark contrast to individual sperm exhibiting low DNA integrity (> 50% fragmentation index) - and feature membrane decapacitation factors that mediate sperm attachment to form the group. Cooperative behaviour becomes less prevalent upon capacitation and groups tend to disband as the surrounding viscosity reduces. When sperm from different male sources are present, related sperm preferentially form groups and achieve greater swimming velocity, while unrelated sperm are slowed by their involvement in a group. These findings reveal cooperation as a selective mode of human sperm motion - sperm with high DNA integrity cooperate to transit the highly viscous regions in the female tract and outcompete rival sperm for fertilization - and provide insight into cooperation-based sperm selection strategies for assisted reproduction.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sa Xiao
- Department of Mechanical and Industrial Engineering, University of Toronto, Toronto, ON, M5S 3G8, Canada
| | - Jason Riordon
- Department of Mechanical and Industrial Engineering, University of Toronto, Toronto, ON, M5S 3G8, Canada
| | | | | | | | - Reza Nosrati
- Department of Mechanical and Aerospace Engineering, Monash University, Clayton, VIC, 3800, Australia
| | - David Sinton
- Department of Mechanical and Industrial Engineering, University of Toronto, Toronto, ON, M5S 3G8, Canada.
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14
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Zeaei S, Zabetian Targhi M, Halvaei I, Nosrati R. High-DNA integrity sperm selection using rheotaxis and boundary following behavior in a microfluidic chip. LAB ON A CHIP 2023; 23:2241-2248. [PMID: 37010363 DOI: 10.1039/d2lc01190e] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 05/03/2023]
Abstract
Rheotaxis, as one of the main natural guidance mechanisms in vivo, has been used in microfluidics to separate motile sperm. However, the lack of DNA integrity assessment and the inability to separate the cells in a specific reservoir have been the main limitations for the practical application of most of the devices using rheotaxis for sperm separation. Here, we present a microfluidic chip that can separate highly motile sperm using their inherent rheotaxis and boundary-following behavior in a network of boomerang-shaped microchannels. The device design is informed by our FEM simulation results to predict sperm trajectories. Experimental results demonstrate the device's performance to separate over 16 000 motile sperm in under 20 min, sufficient for droplet-based IVF. Separated cells are classified into two motility groups, highly motile (swimming speed > 120 μm s-1) and motile (swimming speed < 120 μm s-1). The device selects sperm with over 45%, 20%, and 80% improvement in motility, the number of highly motile sperm, and DNA integrity, respectively, suggesting promising potential for applications in assisted reproduction.
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Affiliation(s)
- Soroush Zeaei
- Department of Mechanical Engineering, Tarbiat Modares University, Tehran, Iran.
| | | | - Iman Halvaei
- Department of Medical Sciences, Tarbiat Modares University, Tehran, Iran
| | - Reza Nosrati
- Department of Mechanical and Aerospace Engineering, Monash University, Melbourne, Australia.
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15
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Soto-Heras S, Sakkas D, Miller DJ. Sperm selection by the oviduct: perspectives for male fertility and assisted reproductive technologies†. Biol Reprod 2023; 108:538-552. [PMID: 36625382 PMCID: PMC10106845 DOI: 10.1093/biolre/ioac224] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/07/2022] [Revised: 12/21/2022] [Accepted: 12/23/2022] [Indexed: 01/11/2023] Open
Abstract
The contribution of sperm to embryogenesis is gaining attention with up to 50% of infertility cases being attributed to a paternal factor. The traditional methods used in assisted reproductive technologies for selecting and assessing sperm quality are mainly based on motility and viability parameters. However, other sperm characteristics, including deoxyribonucleic acid integrity, have major consequences for successful live birth. In natural reproduction, sperm navigate the male and female reproductive tract to reach and fertilize the egg. During transport, sperm encounter many obstacles that dramatically reduce the number arriving at the fertilization site. In humans, the number of sperm is reduced from tens of millions in the ejaculate to hundreds in the Fallopian tube (oviduct). Whether this sperm population has higher fertilization potential is not fully understood, but several studies in animals indicate that many defective sperm do not advance to the site of fertilization. Moreover, the oviduct plays a key role in fertility by modulating sperm transport, viability, and maturation, providing sperm that are ready to fertilize at the appropriate time. Here we present evidence of sperm selection by the oviduct with emphasis on the mechanisms of selection and the sperm characteristics selected. Considering the sperm parameters that are essential for healthy embryonic development, we discuss the use of novel in vitro sperm selection methods that mimic physiological conditions. We propose that insight gained from understanding how the oviduct selects sperm can be translated to assisted reproductive technologies to yield high fertilization, embryonic development, and pregnancy rates.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sandra Soto-Heras
- Department of Animal Sciences and Institute of Genomic Biology, University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign, Urbana, IL, USA
| | | | - David J Miller
- Department of Animal Sciences and Institute of Genomic Biology, University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign, Urbana, IL, USA
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16
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Yu SX, Wu Y, Luo H, Liu Y, Chen YC, Wang YJ, Liu W, Tang J, Shi H, Gao H, Jing G, Liu YJ. Escaping Behavior of Sperms on the Biomimetic Oviductal Surface. Anal Chem 2023; 95:2366-2374. [PMID: 36655581 DOI: 10.1021/acs.analchem.2c04338] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/20/2023]
Abstract
Before fertilization, sperms adhere to oviductal epithelium cells, and only a restrictive number of winner sperms can escape to reach the egg. To study the sperm escape behavior from the oviductal surface, we developed a microfluidic chip to fabricate an adhesive surface and to create a gradient of progesterone (P4) for mimicking the oviduct microenvironment in vivo. We identified three sperm motion patterns in such a microenvironment─anchored spin, run-and-spin, and escaped mode. By using kinetic analysis, we verified the hypothesis that the responsive rotation energy anchored with the adhered sperm head determines whether the sperm is trapped or detaching, which is defined as the hammer flying strategy of successful escape after accumulating energy in the process of rotating. Intriguingly, this hammer-throw escaping is able to be triggered by the P4 biochemical stimulation. Our results revealed the tangled process of sperm escape before fertilization in the ingenious microfluidic system.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sai-Xi Yu
- Shanghai Key Laboratory of Medical Epigenetics, Institutes of Biomedical Sciences, Shanghai Stomatological Hospital, Department of Systems Biology for Medicine, Fudan University, Shanghai200032, China
| | - Yi Wu
- Shanghai Key Laboratory of Medical Epigenetics, Institutes of Biomedical Sciences, Shanghai Stomatological Hospital, Department of Systems Biology for Medicine, Fudan University, Shanghai200032, China
| | - Hao Luo
- School of Physics, State Key Laboratory of Photon Technology in Western China Energy, Northwest University, Xi'an710069, China
| | - Yanan Liu
- School of Physics, State Key Laboratory of Photon Technology in Western China Energy, Northwest University, Xi'an710069, China
| | - Yu-Chen Chen
- Shanghai Key Laboratory of Medical Epigenetics, Institutes of Biomedical Sciences, Shanghai Stomatological Hospital, Department of Systems Biology for Medicine, Fudan University, Shanghai200032, China
| | - Ya-Jun Wang
- Shanghai Key Laboratory of Medical Epigenetics, Institutes of Biomedical Sciences, Shanghai Stomatological Hospital, Department of Systems Biology for Medicine, Fudan University, Shanghai200032, China
| | - Wei Liu
- Shanghai Key Laboratory of Medical Epigenetics, Institutes of Biomedical Sciences, Shanghai Stomatological Hospital, Department of Systems Biology for Medicine, Fudan University, Shanghai200032, China
| | - Jianan Tang
- NHC Key Lab. of Reproduction Regulation (Shanghai Institute for Biomedical and Pharmaceutical Technologies), Fudan University, Shanghai200032, China
| | - Huijuan Shi
- NHC Key Lab. of Reproduction Regulation (Shanghai Institute for Biomedical and Pharmaceutical Technologies), Fudan University, Shanghai200032, China
| | - Hai Gao
- Shanghai Key Laboratory of Medical Epigenetics, Institutes of Biomedical Sciences, Shanghai Stomatological Hospital, Department of Systems Biology for Medicine, Fudan University, Shanghai200032, China
| | - Guangyin Jing
- School of Physics, State Key Laboratory of Photon Technology in Western China Energy, Northwest University, Xi'an710069, China
| | - Yan-Jun Liu
- Shanghai Key Laboratory of Medical Epigenetics, Institutes of Biomedical Sciences, Shanghai Stomatological Hospital, Department of Systems Biology for Medicine, Fudan University, Shanghai200032, China
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17
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Locomotion of bovine spermatozoa during the transition from individual cells to bundles. Proc Natl Acad Sci U S A 2023; 120:e2211911120. [PMID: 36638212 PMCID: PMC9934168 DOI: 10.1073/pnas.2211911120] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/15/2023] Open
Abstract
Various locomotion strategies employed by microorganisms are observed in complex biological environments. Spermatozoa assemble into bundles to improve their swimming efficiency compared to individual cells. However, the dynamic mechanisms for the formation of sperm bundles have not been fully characterized. In this study, we numerically and experimentally investigate the locomotion of spermatozoa during the transition from individual cells to bundles of two cells. Three consecutive dynamic behaviors are found across the course of the transition: hydrodynamic attraction/repulsion, alignment, and synchronization. The hydrodynamic attraction/repulsion depends on the relative orientation and distance between spermatozoa as well as their flagellar wave patterns and phase shift. Once the heads are attached, we find a stable equilibrium of the rotational hydrodynamics resulting in the alignment of the heads. The synchronization results from the combined influence of hydrodynamic and mechanical cell-to-cell interactions. Additionally, we find that the flagellar beat is regulated by the interactions during the bundle formation, whereby spermatozoa can synchronize their beats to enhance their swimming velocity.
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18
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Acharya D, Das DK. A novel Human Conception Optimizer for solving optimization problems. Sci Rep 2022; 12:21631. [PMID: 36517488 PMCID: PMC9751073 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-022-25031-6] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/12/2022] [Accepted: 11/23/2022] [Indexed: 12/23/2022] Open
Abstract
Computational techniques are widely used to solve complex optimization problems in different fields such as engineering, finance, biology, and so on. In this paper, the Human Conception Optimizer (HCO) is proposed as a novel metaheuristic algorithm to solve any optimization problems. The idea of this algorithm is based on some biological principles of the human conception process, such as the selective nature of cervical gel in the female reproductive system to allow only healthy sperm cells into the cervix, the guidance nature of mucus gel to help sperm track a genital tracking path towards the egg in the Fallopian tube, the asymmetric nature of flagellar movement which allows sperm cells to move in the reproductive system, the sperm hyperactivation process to make them able to fertilize an egg. Thus, the strategies pursued by the sperm in searching for the egg in the Fallopian tube are modeled mathematically. The best sperm which will meet the position of the egg will be the solution of the algorithm. The performance of the proposed HCO algorithm is examined with a set of basic benchmark test functions called IEEE CEC-2005 and IEEE CEC-2020. A comparative study is also performed between the HCO algorithm and other available algorithms. The significance of the results is verified with statistical test methods. To validate the proposed HCO algorithm, two real-world engineering optimization problems are examined. For this purpose, a complex 14 over-current relay based IEEE 8 bus distribution system is considered. With the proposed algorithm, an improvement of 50% to 60% in total relay operating times is observed comparing with some existing results for the same system. Another engineering problem of designing an optimal proportional integral derivative (PID) controller for a blower driven patient hose mechanical ventilator (MV) is examined. A significant improvement in terms of response time, settling time is observed in the MV system by comparing with existing results.
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Affiliation(s)
- Debasis Acharya
- Department of Electrical and Electronics Engineering, National Institute of Technology Nagaland, Dimapur, 797103, India
| | - Dushmanta Kumar Das
- Department of Electrical and Electronics Engineering, National Institute of Technology Nagaland, Dimapur, 797103, India.
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19
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Agnihotri SN, Ugolini GS, Sullivan MR, Yang Y, De Ganzó A, Lim JW, Konry T. Droplet microfluidics for functional temporal analysis and cell recovery on demand using microvalves: application in immunotherapies for cancer. LAB ON A CHIP 2022; 22:3258-3267. [PMID: 35904070 PMCID: PMC9535857 DOI: 10.1039/d2lc00435f] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/07/2023]
Abstract
Most common methods of cellular analysis employ the top-down approach (investigating proteomics or genomics directly), thereby destroying the cell, which does not allow the possibility of using the same cell to correlate genomics with functional assays. Herein we describe an approach for single-cell tools that serve as a bottom-up approach. Our technology allows functional phenotyping to be conducted by observing the cytotoxicity of cells and then probe the underlying biology. We have developed a droplet microfluidic device capable of trapping droplets in the array and releasing the droplet of interest selectively using microvalves. Each droplet in the array encapsulates natural killer cells (NK cells) and tumour cells for real-time monitoring of burst kinetics and spatial coordination during killing by single NK cells. Finally, we use the microvalve actuation to selectively release droplets with the desired functional phenotype such as for fast and serial killing of target tumour cells by NK cells. From this perspective, our device allows for investigating first interactions and real-time monitoring of kinetics and later cell recovery on demand for single-cell omic analysis such as single-cell RNA sequencing (scRNA), which to date, is primarily based on in-depth analyses of the entire transcriptome of a relatively low number of cells.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sagar N Agnihotri
- Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences, School of Pharmacy, Northeastern University, Boston, MA 02115, USA.
| | - Giovanni Stefano Ugolini
- Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences, School of Pharmacy, Northeastern University, Boston, MA 02115, USA.
| | - Matthew Ryan Sullivan
- Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences, School of Pharmacy, Northeastern University, Boston, MA 02115, USA.
| | - Yichao Yang
- Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences, School of Pharmacy, Northeastern University, Boston, MA 02115, USA.
| | - Agustin De Ganzó
- Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences, School of Pharmacy, Northeastern University, Boston, MA 02115, USA.
| | - Ji Won Lim
- Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences, School of Pharmacy, Northeastern University, Boston, MA 02115, USA.
| | - Tania Konry
- Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences, School of Pharmacy, Northeastern University, Boston, MA 02115, USA.
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20
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Yu SX, Liu Y, Wu Y, Luo H, Huang R, Wang YJ, Wang X, Gao H, Shi H, Jing G, Liu YJ. Cervix chip mimicking cervical microenvironment for quantifying sperm locomotion. Biosens Bioelectron 2022; 204:114040. [PMID: 35151944 DOI: 10.1016/j.bios.2022.114040] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/09/2021] [Revised: 01/21/2022] [Accepted: 01/22/2022] [Indexed: 12/14/2022]
Abstract
As the gate for sperm swimming into the female reproductive tract, cervix is full of cervical mucus, which plays an important role in sperm locomotion. The fact that sperm cannot pass through the cervical mucus-cervix microenvironment will cause the male infertility. However, how the sperm swim across the cervix microenvironment remains elusive. We used hyaluronic acid (HA), a substitute of cervical mucus to mimic cervix microenvironment and designed a cervix chip to study sperm selection and behavior. An accumulation of sperm in HA confirmed that HA served as a reservoir for sperm, similar to cervical mucus. We found that sperm escaping from HA exhibited higher motility than the sperm accessing into HA, suggesting that HA functions as a filter to select sperm with high activity. Our findings construct a practical platform to explore the sophisticated interaction of sperm with cervix microenvironment, with elaborate swimming indicators thus provide a promising cervix chip for sperm selection with kinematic features on-demand. What's more, the cervix chip allows the convenient use in clinical infertility diagnosis, owing to the advantage of simple, fast and high efficiency.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sai-Xi Yu
- Shanghai Institute of Cardiovascular Diseases, Shanghai Key Laboratory of Medical Epigenetics, International Co-laboratory of Medical Epigenetics and Metabolism (Ministry of Science and Technology), Institutes of Biomedical Sciences, Department of Systems Biology for Medicine, Zhongshan Hospital, Fudan University, Shanghai, 200032, China
| | - Yanan Liu
- School of Physics, State Key Laboratory of Photon Technology in Western China Energy, Northwest University, Xi'an, 710069, China
| | - Yi Wu
- Shanghai Institute of Cardiovascular Diseases, Shanghai Key Laboratory of Medical Epigenetics, International Co-laboratory of Medical Epigenetics and Metabolism (Ministry of Science and Technology), Institutes of Biomedical Sciences, Department of Systems Biology for Medicine, Zhongshan Hospital, Fudan University, Shanghai, 200032, China
| | - Hao Luo
- School of Physics, State Key Laboratory of Photon Technology in Western China Energy, Northwest University, Xi'an, 710069, China
| | - Rufei Huang
- NHC Key Lab. of Reproduction Regulation (Shanghai Institute of Planned Parenthood Research), Hospital of SIPPR, Fudan University, Shanghai, 200032, China
| | - Ya-Jun Wang
- Shanghai Institute of Cardiovascular Diseases, Shanghai Key Laboratory of Medical Epigenetics, International Co-laboratory of Medical Epigenetics and Metabolism (Ministry of Science and Technology), Institutes of Biomedical Sciences, Department of Systems Biology for Medicine, Zhongshan Hospital, Fudan University, Shanghai, 200032, China
| | - Xuemei Wang
- NHC Key Lab. of Reproduction Regulation (Shanghai Institute for Biomedical and Pharmaceutical Technologies), Fudan University, Shanghai, 200032, China
| | - Hai Gao
- Shanghai Institute of Cardiovascular Diseases, Shanghai Key Laboratory of Medical Epigenetics, International Co-laboratory of Medical Epigenetics and Metabolism (Ministry of Science and Technology), Institutes of Biomedical Sciences, Department of Systems Biology for Medicine, Zhongshan Hospital, Fudan University, Shanghai, 200032, China
| | - Huijuan Shi
- NHC Key Lab. of Reproduction Regulation (Shanghai Institute for Biomedical and Pharmaceutical Technologies), Fudan University, Shanghai, 200032, China.
| | - Guangyin Jing
- School of Physics, State Key Laboratory of Photon Technology in Western China Energy, Northwest University, Xi'an, 710069, China.
| | - Yan-Jun Liu
- Shanghai Institute of Cardiovascular Diseases, Shanghai Key Laboratory of Medical Epigenetics, International Co-laboratory of Medical Epigenetics and Metabolism (Ministry of Science and Technology), Institutes of Biomedical Sciences, Department of Systems Biology for Medicine, Zhongshan Hospital, Fudan University, Shanghai, 200032, China.
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21
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Nosrati R. Lab on a chip devices for fertility: from proof-of-concept to clinical impact. LAB ON A CHIP 2022; 22:1680-1689. [PMID: 35417508 DOI: 10.1039/d1lc01144h] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/14/2023]
Abstract
Microfluidics offers tremendous opportunities to understand the underlying biology of fertilization at the single-cell level and improve infertility management, however, its true clinical impact is yet to be realized. Lab-on-a-chip devices have generally failed to diffuse into clinical practice due to issues associated with their translation or their practicality and performance in clinical settings. In this perspective, I reflect on how the full potential of microfluidic technologies for fertility can be realized by considering regulatory and manufacturing considerations at the development stage and by redefining our developmental goals to directly target the ultimate clinical needs. I also challenge the common rationale around developing technologies for infertility treatment based on reducing cost and complexity in operation as the ultimate outcome is invaluable, human life.
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Affiliation(s)
- Reza Nosrati
- Department of Mechanical and Aerospace Engineering, Monash University, Clayton Campus, VIC 3800, Australia.
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22
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Gai J, Dervisevic E, Devendran C, Cadarso VJ, O'Bryan MK, Nosrati R, Neild A. High-Frequency Ultrasound Boosts Bull and Human Sperm Motility. ADVANCED SCIENCE (WEINHEIM, BADEN-WURTTEMBERG, GERMANY) 2022; 9:e2104362. [PMID: 35419997 PMCID: PMC9008414 DOI: 10.1002/advs.202104362] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/30/2021] [Revised: 12/16/2021] [Indexed: 05/05/2023]
Abstract
Sperm motility is a significant predictor of male fertility potential and is directly linked to fertilization success in both natural and some forms of assisted reproduction. Sperm motility can be impaired by both genetic and environmental factors, with asthenozoospermia being a common clinical presentation. Moreover, in the setting of assisted reproductive technology clinics, there is a distinct absence of effective and noninvasive technology to increase sperm motility without detriment to the sperm cells. Here, a new method is presented to boost sperm motility by increasing the intracellular rate of metabolic activity using high frequency ultrasound. An increase of 34% in curvilinear velocity (VCL), 10% in linearity, and 32% in the number of motile sperm cells is shown by rendering immotile sperm motile, after just 20 s exposure. A similar effect with an increase of 15% in VCL treating human sperm with the same setting is also identified. This cell level mechanotherapy approach causes no significant change in cell viability or DNA fragmentation index, and, as such, has the potential to be applied to encourage natural fertilization or less invasive treatment choices such as in vitro fertilization rather than intracytoplasmic injection.
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Affiliation(s)
- Junyang Gai
- Department of Mechanical and Aerospace EngineeringMonash UniversityClaytonVictoria3800Australia
| | - Esma Dervisevic
- Department of Mechanical and Aerospace EngineeringMonash UniversityClaytonVictoria3800Australia
| | - Citsabehsan Devendran
- Department of Mechanical and Aerospace EngineeringMonash UniversityClaytonVictoria3800Australia
| | - Victor J. Cadarso
- Department of Mechanical and Aerospace EngineeringMonash UniversityClaytonVictoria3800Australia
| | - Moira K. O'Bryan
- Department of Mechanical and Aerospace EngineeringMonash UniversityClaytonVictoria3800Australia
- School of BioSciencesFaculty of Sciencethe University of MelbourneParkvilleVictoria3010Australia
| | - Reza Nosrati
- Department of Mechanical and Aerospace EngineeringMonash UniversityClaytonVictoria3800Australia
| | - Adrian Neild
- Department of Mechanical and Aerospace EngineeringMonash UniversityClaytonVictoria3800Australia
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23
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Powar S, Parast FY, Nandagiri A, Gaikwad AS, Potter DL, O'Bryan MK, Prabhakar R, Soria J, Nosrati R. Unraveling the Kinematics of Sperm Motion by Reconstructing the Flagellar Wave Motion in 3D. SMALL METHODS 2022; 6:e2101089. [PMID: 35138044 DOI: 10.1002/smtd.202101089] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/09/2021] [Revised: 01/05/2022] [Indexed: 06/14/2023]
Abstract
Sperm swim through the female reproductive tract by propagating a 3D flagellar wave that is self-regulatory in nature and driven by dynein motors. Traditional microscopy methods fail to capture the full dynamics of sperm flagellar activity as they only image and analyze sperm motility in 2D. Here, an automated platform to analyze sperm swimming behavior in 3D by using thin-lens approximation and high-speed dark field microscopy to reconstruct the flagellar waveform in 3D is presented. It is found that head-tethered mouse sperm exhibit a rolling beating behavior in 3D with the beating frequency of 6.2 Hz using spectral analysis. The flagellar waveform bends in 3D, particularly in the distal regions, but is only weakly nonplanar and ambidextrous in nature, with the local helicity along the flagellum fluctuating between clockwise and counterclockwise handedness. These findings suggest a nonpersistent flagellar helicity. This method provides new opportunities for the accurate measurement of the full motion of eukaryotic flagella and cilia which is essential for a biophysical understanding of their activation by dynein motors.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sushant Powar
- Department of Mechanical and Aerospace Engineering, Monash University, Clayton, Victoria, 3800, Australia
| | - Farin Yazdan Parast
- Department of Mechanical and Aerospace Engineering, Monash University, Clayton, Victoria, 3800, Australia
| | - Ashwin Nandagiri
- IITB-Monash Research Academy, Indian Institute of Technology Bombay, Mumbai, 400076, India
| | - Avinash S Gaikwad
- School of BioSciences, Faculty of Science, University of Melbourne, Parkville, Victoria, 3010, Australia
- School of Biological Sciences, Monash University, Clayton, Victoria, 3800, Australia
| | - David L Potter
- Monash Micro-Imaging, Monash University, Clayton, Victoria, 3800, Australia
| | - Moira K O'Bryan
- School of BioSciences, Faculty of Science, University of Melbourne, Parkville, Victoria, 3010, Australia
- School of Biological Sciences, Monash University, Clayton, Victoria, 3800, Australia
| | - Ranganathan Prabhakar
- Department of Mechanical and Aerospace Engineering, Monash University, Clayton, Victoria, 3800, Australia
| | - Julio Soria
- Department of Mechanical and Aerospace Engineering, Monash University, Clayton, Victoria, 3800, Australia
- Laboratory for Turbulence Research in Aerospace & Combustion (LTRAC), Department of Mechanical and Aerospace Engineering, Monash University, Clayton, Victoria, 3800, Australia
| | - Reza Nosrati
- Department of Mechanical and Aerospace Engineering, Monash University, Clayton, Victoria, 3800, Australia
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24
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Atzitz Y, Dudaie M, Barnea I, Shaked NT. Sperm Inspection for In Vitro Fertilization via Self-Assembled Microdroplet Formation and Quantitative Phase Microscopy. Cells 2021; 10:3317. [PMID: 34943823 PMCID: PMC8699486 DOI: 10.3390/cells10123317] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/25/2021] [Revised: 11/19/2021] [Accepted: 11/23/2021] [Indexed: 11/16/2022] Open
Abstract
We present a new method for the selection of individual sperm cells using a microfluidic device that automatically traps each cell in a separate microdroplet that then individually self-assembles with other microdroplets, permitting the controlled measurement of the cells using quantitative phase microscopy. Following cell trapping and droplet formation, we utilize quantitative phase microscopy integrated with bright-field imaging for individual sperm morphology and motility inspection. We then perform individual sperm selection using a single-cell micromanipulator, which is enhanced by the microdroplet-trapping procedure described above. This method can improve sperm selection for intracytoplasmic sperm injection, a common type of in vitro fertilization procedure.
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | | | - Natan T. Shaked
- Department of Biomedical, Engineering Tel Aviv University, Tel Aviv 6997801, Israel; (Y.A.); (M.D.); (I.B.)
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25
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Gaikwad AS, Nandagiri A, Potter DL, Nosrati R, O'Connor AE, Jadhav S, Soria J, Prabhakar R, O'Bryan MK. CRISPs Function to Boost Sperm Power Output and Motility. Front Cell Dev Biol 2021; 9:693258. [PMID: 34422816 PMCID: PMC8374954 DOI: 10.3389/fcell.2021.693258] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/10/2021] [Accepted: 07/20/2021] [Indexed: 12/17/2022] Open
Abstract
Fertilization requires sperm to travel long distances through the complex environment of the female reproductive tract. Despite the strong association between poor motility and infertility, the kinetics of sperm tail movement and the role individual proteins play in this process is poorly understood. Here, we use a high spatiotemporal sperm imaging system and an analysis protocol to define the role of CRISPs in the mechanobiology of sperm function. Each of CRISP1, CRISP2, and CRISP4 is required to optimize sperm flagellum waveform. Each plays an autonomous role in defining beat frequency, flexibility, and power dissipation. We thus posit that the expansion of the CRISP family from one member in basal vertebrates, to three in most mammals, and four in numerous rodents, represents an example of neofunctionalization wherein proteins with a common core function, boosting power output, have evolved to optimize different aspects of sperm tail performance.
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Affiliation(s)
- Avinash S Gaikwad
- School of Biological Sciences, Monash University, Clayton, VIC, Australia.,School of BioSciences and Bio21 Institute, The Faculty of Science, The University of Melbourne, Parkville, VIC, Australia
| | - Ashwin Nandagiri
- Department of Chemical Engineering, Indian Institute of Technology Bombay, Mumbai, India.,Department of Mechanical and Aerospace Engineering, Monash University, Clayton, VIC, Australia
| | - David L Potter
- Monash Micro Imaging - Advanced Optical Microscopy, Monash University, Clayton, VIC, Australia
| | - Reza Nosrati
- Department of Mechanical and Aerospace Engineering, Monash University, Clayton, VIC, Australia
| | - Anne E O'Connor
- School of Biological Sciences, Monash University, Clayton, VIC, Australia.,School of BioSciences and Bio21 Institute, The Faculty of Science, The University of Melbourne, Parkville, VIC, Australia
| | - Sameer Jadhav
- Department of Chemical Engineering, Indian Institute of Technology Bombay, Mumbai, India
| | - Julio Soria
- Laboratory for Turbulence Research in Aerospace & Combustion (LTRAC), Department of Mechanical and Aerospace Engineering, Monash University, Clayton, VIC, Australia
| | - Ranganathan Prabhakar
- Department of Mechanical and Aerospace Engineering, Monash University, Clayton, VIC, Australia
| | - Moira K O'Bryan
- School of BioSciences and Bio21 Institute, The Faculty of Science, The University of Melbourne, Parkville, VIC, Australia
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