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Bouloorchi Tabalvandani M, Saeidpour Z, Habibi Z, Javadizadeh S, Firoozabadi SA, Badieirostami M. Microfluidics as an emerging paradigm for assisted reproductive technology: A sperm separation perspective. Biomed Microdevices 2024; 26:23. [PMID: 38652182 DOI: 10.1007/s10544-024-00705-2] [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] [Accepted: 04/08/2024] [Indexed: 04/25/2024]
Abstract
Millions of people are subject to infertility worldwide and one in every six people, regardless of gender, experiences infertility at some period in their life, according to the World Health Organization. Assisted reproductive technologies are defined as a set of procedures that can address the infertility issue among couples, culminating in the alleviation of the condition. However, the costly conventional procedures of assisted reproduction and the inherent vagaries of the processes involved represent a setback for its successful implementation. Microfluidics, an emerging tool for processing low-volume samples, have recently started to play a role in infertility diagnosis and treatment. Given its host of benefits, including manipulating cells at the microscale, repeatability, automation, and superior biocompatibility, microfluidics have been adopted for various procedures in assisted reproduction, ranging from sperm sorting and analysis to more advanced processes such as IVF-on-a-chip. In this review, we try to adopt a more holistic approach and cover different uses of microfluidics for a variety of applications, specifically aimed at sperm separation and analysis. We present various sperm separation microfluidic techniques, categorized as natural and non-natural methods. A few of the recent developments in on-chip fertilization are also discussed.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Zahra Saeidpour
- MEMS Lab, School of Electrical and Computer Engineering, College of Engineering, University of Tehran, Tehran, 1439957131, Iran
| | - Zahra Habibi
- MEMS Lab, School of Electrical and Computer Engineering, College of Engineering, University of Tehran, Tehran, 1439957131, Iran
| | - Saeed Javadizadeh
- MEMS Lab, School of Electrical and Computer Engineering, College of Engineering, University of Tehran, Tehran, 1439957131, Iran
| | - Seyed Ahmadreza Firoozabadi
- MEMS Lab, School of Electrical and Computer Engineering, College of Engineering, University of Tehran, Tehran, 1439957131, Iran
| | - Majid Badieirostami
- MEMS Lab, School of Electrical and Computer Engineering, College of Engineering, University of Tehran, Tehran, 1439957131, Iran.
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Uhm SJ, Heo YT, Yu DM, Kim DK, Gupta MK. Pre-implantation development of cattle embryos produced from fresh bull semen enriched for X- chromosome-bearing spermatozoa using a monoclonal antibody. Vet Res Commun 2023; 47:2101-2109. [PMID: 37432602 DOI: 10.1007/s11259-023-10160-8] [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] [Received: 07/07/2022] [Accepted: 06/26/2023] [Indexed: 07/12/2023]
Abstract
Immunological approaches are gaining attention as a convenient and economical method for sex-sorting mammalian spermatozoa. A monoclonal antibody (WholeMom™) has previously been reported to cause agglutination of Y-chromosome-bearing spermatozoa in frozen-thawed semen for gender preselection. However, its usefulness for gender preselection in fresh semen and subsequent in vitro fertilization (IVF) after freeze-thawing has not been reported. This study investigated the in vitro development of cattle embryos produced from fresh bull semen pre-treated with WholeMom™ monoclonal antibody. Results showed that antibody-treated, non-agglutinated spermatozoa (presumably X-chromosome-bearing spermatozoa) could fertilize cattle oocytes in vitro. However, embryos generated from non-agglutinated (enriched in X-chromosome-bearing spermatozoa) had a lower (p < 0.05) ability to cleave (66.4 ± 2.5% vs. 75.1 ± 3.3%) than those of non-treated control sperm. Nevertheless, the percentage of blastocysts developed from cleaved embryos did not differ (p > 0.05) between the groups (34.8 ± 3.7% vs. 35.8 ± 3.4%). Duplex PCR of blastocysts, using a bovine-specific universal primer pair and a Y-chromosome-specific primer pair, showed a sex ratio of 95.8% females from sex-sorted spermatozoa, which was higher than those of non-treated control spermatozoa (46.4%). In conclusion, the results of the present study suggest that monoclonal antibody-based enrichment of X- chromosome-bearing spermatozoa can be applied to fresh bull semen without compromising their post-fertilization early embryonic development to the blastocyst stage. Future studies should investigate the term development and sex ratio of calves from antibody-treated spermatozoa.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sang Jun Uhm
- Department of Animal Science, Sangji University, Wonju, 26339, Republic of Korea.
| | - Young Tae Heo
- Department of Companion Animal, Catholic Sangji College, Andong, 36686, Republic of Korea
| | - Dong Min Yu
- Hoengseong Chukhyeop, 337, Hoengseong-Ro, Hoengseong, 25235, Republic of Korea
| | - Dong Ku Kim
- Nuri Science Inc, Hanam TechnoValley U1 Center, Hanam-daero, Hanam-si, Gyeonggi-do, D-1314947, 12982, Republic of Korea
| | - Mukesh Kumar Gupta
- Department of Biotechnology and Medical Engineering, National Institute of Technology, Rourkela, Odisha, 769008, India.
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3
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Belgodere JA, Alam M, Browning VE, Eades J, North J, Armand JA, Liu Y, Tiersch TR, Monroe WT. A Modified-Herringbone Micromixer for Assessing Zebrafish Sperm (MAGS). MICROMACHINES 2023; 14:1310. [PMID: 37512621 PMCID: PMC10386169 DOI: 10.3390/mi14071310] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/02/2023] [Revised: 06/16/2023] [Accepted: 06/20/2023] [Indexed: 07/30/2023]
Abstract
Sperm motility analysis of aquatic model species is important yet challenging due to the small sample volume, the necessity to activate with water, and the short duration of motility. To achieve standardization of sperm activation, microfluidic mixers have shown improved reproducibility over activation by hand, but challenges remain in optimizing and simplifying the use of these microdevices for greater adoption. The device described herein incorporates a novel micromixer geometry that aligns two sperm inlet streams with modified herringbone structures that split and recombine the sample at a 1:6 dilution with water to achieve rapid and consistent initiation of motility. The polydimethylsiloxane (PDMS) chip can be operated in a positive or negative pressure configuration, allowing a simple micropipettor to draw samples into the chip and rapidly stop the flow. The device was optimized to not only activate zebrafish sperm but also enables practical use with standard computer-assisted sperm analysis (CASA) systems. The micromixer geometry could be modified for other aquatic species with differing cell sizes and adopted for an open hardware approach using 3D resin printing where users could revise, fabricate, and share designs to improve standardization and reproducibility across laboratories and repositories.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jorge A Belgodere
- Department of Biological and Agricultural Engineering, Louisiana State University and Agricultural Center, Baton Rouge, LA 70803, USA
| | - Mustafa Alam
- Department of Biological and Agricultural Engineering, Louisiana State University and Agricultural Center, Baton Rouge, LA 70803, USA
| | - Valentino E Browning
- Department of Biological and Agricultural Engineering, Louisiana State University and Agricultural Center, Baton Rouge, LA 70803, USA
| | - Jason Eades
- Department of Biological and Agricultural Engineering, Louisiana State University and Agricultural Center, Baton Rouge, LA 70803, USA
| | - Jack North
- Department of Biological and Agricultural Engineering, Louisiana State University and Agricultural Center, Baton Rouge, LA 70803, USA
| | - Julie A Armand
- Department of Biological and Agricultural Engineering, Louisiana State University and Agricultural Center, Baton Rouge, LA 70803, USA
| | - Yue Liu
- Department of Biological and Agricultural Engineering, Louisiana State University and Agricultural Center, Baton Rouge, LA 70803, USA
- Aquatic Germplasm and Genetic Resources Center, School of Renewable Natural Resources, Louisiana State University Agricultural Center, Baton Rouge, LA 70820, USA
| | - Terrence R Tiersch
- Aquatic Germplasm and Genetic Resources Center, School of Renewable Natural Resources, Louisiana State University Agricultural Center, Baton Rouge, LA 70820, USA
| | - W Todd Monroe
- Department of Biological and Agricultural Engineering, Louisiana State University and Agricultural Center, Baton Rouge, LA 70803, USA
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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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5
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Huang J, Chen H, Li N, Zhao Y. Emerging microfluidic technologies for sperm sorting. ENGINEERED REGENERATION 2023. [DOI: 10.1016/j.engreg.2023.02.001] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/12/2023] Open
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Rodríguez CF, Andrade-Pérez V, Vargas MC, Mantilla-Orozco A, Osma JF, Reyes LH, Cruz JC. Breaking the clean room barrier: exploring low-cost alternatives for microfluidic devices. Front Bioeng Biotechnol 2023; 11:1176557. [PMID: 37180035 PMCID: PMC10172592 DOI: 10.3389/fbioe.2023.1176557] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/28/2023] [Accepted: 04/17/2023] [Indexed: 05/15/2023] Open
Abstract
Microfluidics is an interdisciplinary field that encompasses both science and engineering, which aims to design and fabricate devices capable of manipulating extremely low volumes of fluids on a microscale level. The central objective of microfluidics is to provide high precision and accuracy while using minimal reagents and equipment. The benefits of this approach include greater control over experimental conditions, faster analysis, and improved experimental reproducibility. Microfluidic devices, also known as labs-on-a-chip (LOCs), have emerged as potential instruments for optimizing operations and decreasing costs in various of industries, including pharmaceutical, medical, food, and cosmetics. However, the high price of conventional prototypes for LOCs devices, generated in clean room facilities, has increased the demand for inexpensive alternatives. Polymers, paper, and hydrogels are some of the materials that can be utilized to create the inexpensive microfluidic devices covered in this article. In addition, we highlighted different manufacturing techniques, such as soft lithography, laser plotting, and 3D printing, that are suitable for creating LOCs. The selection of materials and fabrication techniques will depend on the specific requirements and applications of each individual LOC. This article aims to provide a comprehensive overview of the numerous alternatives for the development of low-cost LOCs to service industries such as pharmaceuticals, chemicals, food, and biomedicine.
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | - María Camila Vargas
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, Universidad de Los Andes, Bogotá, Colombia
| | | | - Johann F. Osma
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, Universidad de Los Andes, Bogotá, Colombia
| | - Luis H. Reyes
- Department of Chemical and Food Engineering, Universidad de Los Andes, Bogotá, Colombia
- *Correspondence: Luis H. Reyes, ; Juan C. Cruz,
| | - Juan C. Cruz
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, Universidad de Los Andes, Bogotá, Colombia
- *Correspondence: Luis H. Reyes, ; Juan C. Cruz,
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Antibody-Conjugated Magnetic Beads for Sperm Sexing Using a Multi-Wall Carbon Nanotube Microfluidic Device. MICROMACHINES 2022; 13:mi13030426. [PMID: 35334718 PMCID: PMC8955769 DOI: 10.3390/mi13030426] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/08/2022] [Revised: 03/08/2022] [Accepted: 03/08/2022] [Indexed: 11/17/2022]
Abstract
This study proposes a microfluidic device used for X-/Y-sperm separation based on monoclonal antibody-conjugated magnetic beads, which become positively charged in the flow system. Y-sperms were selectively captured via a monoclonal antibody and transferred onto the microfluidic device and were discarded, so that X-sperms can be isolated and commercially exploited for fertilization demands of female cattle in dairy industry. Therefore, the research team used monoclonal antibody-conjugated magnetic beads to increase the force that causes the Y-sperm to be pulled out of the system, leaving only the X-sperm for further use. The experimental design was divided into the following: Model 1, the microfluid system for sorting positive magnetic beads, which yielded 100% separation; Model 2, the sorting of monoclonal antibody-conjugated magnetic beads in the fluid system, yielding 98.84% microcirculation; Model 3, the sorting of monoclonal antibody-conjugated magnetic beads with sperm in the microfluid system, yielding 80.12% microcirculation. Moreover, the fabrication microfluidic system had thin film electrodes created via UV lithography and MWCNTs electrode structure capable of erecting an electrode wall 1500 µm above the floor with a flow channel width of only 100 µm. The system was tested using a constant flow rate of 2 µL/min and X-/Y-sperm were separated using carbon nanotube electrodes at 2.5 V. The structure created with the use of vertical electrodes and monoclonal antibody-conjugated magnetic beads technique produced a higher effective rejection effect and was able to remove a large number of unwanted sperm from the system with 80.12% efficiency.
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Vázquez M, Anfossi L, Ben-Yoav H, Diéguez L, Karopka T, Della Ventura B, Abalde-Cela S, Minopoli A, Di Nardo F, Shukla VK, Teixeira A, Tvarijonaviciute A, Franco-Martínez L. Use of some cost-effective technologies for a routine clinical pathology laboratory. LAB ON A CHIP 2021; 21:4330-4351. [PMID: 34664599 DOI: 10.1039/d1lc00658d] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 05/18/2023]
Abstract
Classically, the need for highly sophisticated instruments with important economic costs has been a major limiting factor for clinical pathology laboratories, especially in developing countries. With the aim of making clinical pathology more accessible, a wide variety of free or economical technologies have been developed worldwide in the last few years. 3D printing and Arduino approaches can provide up to 94% economical savings in hardware and instrumentation in comparison to commercial alternatives. The vast selection of point-of-care-tests (POCT) currently available also limits the need for specific instruments or personnel, as they can be used almost anywhere and by anyone. Lastly, there are dozens of free and libre digital tools available in health informatics. This review provides an overview of the state-of-the-art on cost-effective alternatives with applications in routine clinical pathology laboratories. In this context, a variety of technologies including 3D printing and Arduino, lateral flow assays, plasmonic biosensors, and microfluidics, as well as laboratory information systems, are discussed. This review aims to serve as an introduction to different technologies that can make clinical pathology more accessible and, therefore, contribute to achieve universal health coverage.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mercedes Vázquez
- National Centre For Sensor Research, School of Chemical Sciences, Dublin City University, Glasnevin, Dublin 9, Ireland
| | - Laura Anfossi
- Department of Chemistry, University of Turin, Via Giuria, 5, I-10125 Turin, Italy
| | - Hadar Ben-Yoav
- Nanobioelectronics Laboratory (NBEL), Department of Biomedical Engineering, Ilse Katz Institute of Nanoscale Science and Technology, Zlotowski Center for Neuroscience, Ben-Gurion University of the Negev, Beer-Sheva 8410501, Israel
| | - Lorena Diéguez
- Medical Devices Research Group, International Iberian Nanotechnology Laboratory - INL, 4715-330 Braga, Portugal
| | | | - Bartolomeo Della Ventura
- Department of Physics "E. Pancini", University of Naples Federico II, Via Cintia 26, I-80126 Napoli, Italy
| | - Sara Abalde-Cela
- Medical Devices Research Group, International Iberian Nanotechnology Laboratory - INL, 4715-330 Braga, Portugal
| | - Antonio Minopoli
- Department of Physics "E. Pancini", University of Naples Federico II, Via Cintia 26, I-80126 Napoli, Italy
| | - Fabio Di Nardo
- Department of Chemistry, University of Turin, Via Giuria, 5, I-10125 Turin, Italy
| | - Vikas Kumar Shukla
- Nanobioelectronics Laboratory (NBEL), Department of Biomedical Engineering, Ilse Katz Institute of Nanoscale Science and Technology, Zlotowski Center for Neuroscience, Ben-Gurion University of the Negev, Beer-Sheva 8410501, Israel
| | - Alexandra Teixeira
- Medical Devices Research Group, International Iberian Nanotechnology Laboratory - INL, 4715-330 Braga, Portugal
| | - Asta Tvarijonaviciute
- Interdisciplinary Laboratory of Clinical Pathology, Interlab-UMU, Regional Campus of International Excellence 'Campus Mare Nostrum', University of Murcia, 30100 Murcia, Spain.
| | - Lorena Franco-Martínez
- Interdisciplinary Laboratory of Clinical Pathology, Interlab-UMU, Regional Campus of International Excellence 'Campus Mare Nostrum', University of Murcia, 30100 Murcia, Spain.
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Sperm Selection and Embryo Development: A Comparison of the Density Gradient Centrifugation and Microfluidic Chip Sperm Preparation Methods in Patients with Astheno-Teratozoospermia. Life (Basel) 2021; 11:life11090933. [PMID: 34575082 PMCID: PMC8466221 DOI: 10.3390/life11090933] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/10/2021] [Revised: 09/02/2021] [Accepted: 09/04/2021] [Indexed: 11/28/2022] Open
Abstract
In recent years, microfluidic chip-based sperm sorting has emerged as an alternative tool to centrifugation-based conventional techniques for in vitro fertilization. This prospective study aims to compare the effects of density gradient centrifugation and microfluidic chip sperm preparation methods on embryo development in patient populations with astheno-teratozoospermia. In the study, the semen samples of the patients were divided into two groups for preparation with either the microfluidic or density gradient methods. Selected spermatozoa were then used to fertilize mature sibling oocytes and the semen parameters and embryo development on days 3 and 5 were assessed. While the density gradient group was associated with a higher sperm concentration, motility (progressive and total) was significantly higher in the microfluidic chip group. No significant differences were observed in the fertilization rates or grade 1 (G1) and grade 2 (G2) proportions of the third-day embryos. Furthermore, while the proportions of the poor, fair and good blastocysts on day 5 did not differ significantly, excellent blastocysts (indicating high-quality embryos) were observed in a significantly higher proportion of the microfluidic chip group. When compared to the classical density gradient method, the microfluidic chip sperm preparation yielded sperm with higher motility and higher quality blastocysts at day 5; in patients with astheno-teratozoospermia.
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Coppola S, Kantsler V. Curved ratchets improve bacteria rectification in microfluidic devices. Phys Rev E 2021; 104:014602. [PMID: 34412208 DOI: 10.1103/physreve.104.014602] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/16/2021] [Accepted: 06/16/2021] [Indexed: 11/07/2022]
Abstract
We study how bacteria rectification in microfluidics devices can be optimized by performing experiments with eight ratchets of different shape and size. Results show that curved ratchets perform best and that their radius of curvature influences how well they perform, as it affects the time bacteria spend on the ratchet surface. We find that the optimal bacterial ratchet is a 60μm radius semicircle witch 15μm concavities. We also show that the angle at which bacteria leave the ratchets can play an important role in their efficiency. Lastly, we reproduce our experimental conditions in a simple numerical simulation to confirm our findings.
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Affiliation(s)
- Simone Coppola
- Physics Department, University of Warwick, Coventry CV4 7AL, United Kingdom
| | - Vasily Kantsler
- Physics Department, University of Warwick, Coventry CV4 7AL, United Kingdom
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Alias AB, Huang HY, Yao DJ. A Review on Microfluidics: An Aid to Assisted Reproductive Technology. Molecules 2021; 26:4354. [PMID: 34299629 PMCID: PMC8303723 DOI: 10.3390/molecules26144354] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/07/2021] [Revised: 07/14/2021] [Accepted: 07/15/2021] [Indexed: 12/20/2022] Open
Abstract
Infertility is a state of the male or female reproductive system that is defined as the failure to achieve pregnancy even after 12 or more months of regular unprotected sexual intercourse. Assisted reproductive technology (ART) plays a crucial role in addressing infertility. Various ART are now available for infertile couples. Fertilization in vitro (IVF), intracytoplasmic sperm injection (ICSI) and intrauterine insemination (IUI) are the most common techniques in this regard. Various microfluidic technologies can incorporate various ART procedures such as embryo and gamete (sperm and oocyte) analysis, sorting, manipulation, culture and monitoring. Hence, this review intends to summarize the current knowledge about the application of this approach towards cell biology to enhance ART.
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Affiliation(s)
- Anand Baby Alias
- Institute of NanoEngineering and MicroSystems, National Tsing Hua University, Hsinchu 30013, Taiwan;
| | - Hong-Yuan Huang
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Chang Gung Memorial Hospital, Taoyuan 33305, Taiwan
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Chang Gung University and College of Medicine, Taoyuan 33305, Taiwan
| | - Da-Jeng Yao
- Institute of NanoEngineering and MicroSystems, National Tsing Hua University, Hsinchu 30013, Taiwan;
- Department of Power Mechanical Engineering, National Tsing Hua University, Hsinchu 30013, Taiwan
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Abstract
Sperm selection is a clinical need for guided fertilization in men with low-quality semen. In this regard, microfluidics can provide an enabling platform for the precise manipulation and separation of high-quality sperm cells through applying various stimuli, including chemical agents, mechanical forces, and thermal gradients. In addition, microfluidic platforms can help to guide sperms and oocytes for controlled in vitro fertilization or sperm sorting using both passive and active methods. Herein, we present a detailed review of the use of various microfluidic methods for sorting and categorizing sperms for different applications. The advantages and disadvantages of each method are further discussed and future perspectives in the field are given.
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13
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Neculai-Valeanu AS, Ariton AM. Game-Changing Approaches in Sperm Sex-Sorting: Microfluidics and Nanotechnology. Animals (Basel) 2021; 11:ani11041182. [PMID: 33924241 PMCID: PMC8074747 DOI: 10.3390/ani11041182] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/19/2021] [Revised: 04/07/2021] [Accepted: 04/17/2021] [Indexed: 12/16/2022] Open
Abstract
Simple Summary Sexing of sperm cells, including the capacity to preselect the sex of offspring prior to reproduction, has been a major target of reproductive biotechnology for a very long time. The advances in molecular biology, biophysics, and computer science over the past few decades, as well as the groundbreaking new methods introduced by scientists, have contributed to some major breakthroughs in a variety of branches of medicine. In particular, assisted reproduction is one of the areas in which emerging technologies such as nanotechnology and microfluidics may enhance the fertility potential of samples of sex-sorted semen, thus improving the reproductive management of farm animals and conservation programs. In human medicine, embryo sex-selection using in vitro fertilization (IVF) and preimplantation genetic testing (PGT) is accepted only for medical reasons. Using sex-sorting before IVF would enable specialists to prevent sex-linked genetic diseases and prevent the discharge of embryos which are not suitable for transfer due to their sex. Abstract The utilization of sex-sorted sperm for artificial insemination and in-vitro fertilization is considered a valuable tool for improving production efficiency and optimizing reproductive management in farm animals, subsequently ensuring sufficient food resource for the growing human population. Despite the fact that sperm sex-sorting is one of the most intense studied technologies and notable progress have been made in the past three decades to optimize it, the conception rates when using sex-sorted semen are still under expectations. Assisted reproduction programs may benefit from the use of emergent nano and microfluidic-based technologies. This article addresses the currently used methods for sperm sex-sorting, as well as the emerging ones, based on nanotechnology and microfluidics emphasizing on their practical and economic applicability.
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Affiliation(s)
- Andra-Sabina Neculai-Valeanu
- Research and Development Station for Cattle Breeding Dancu, 707252 Iasi, Romania;
- Department of Fundamental Sciences in Animal Husbandry, Faculty of Food and Animal Sciences, University of Applied Life Sciences and Environment “Ion Ionescu de la Brad”, 700490 Iasi, Romania
- Correspondence:
| | - Adina Mirela Ariton
- Research and Development Station for Cattle Breeding Dancu, 707252 Iasi, Romania;
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