Sperm Purification Devices

Sperm selection devices are increasingly important tools in Assisted Reproductive Technology (ART) procedures, such as IVF, ICSI, and IUI, because they isolate the healthiest sperm subpopulation for fertilisation, bypassing the natural selection barriers of the female reproductive tract.

Historically, the most widely used methods for sperm selection have been Density Gradient Centrifugation (DGC) and Swim-up. A major drawback of these conventional techniques is the requirement for centrifugation, a process associated with increased cellular stress and the potential generation of reactive oxygen species, which can lead to higher levels of DNA fragmentation in the sperm.

In response to these limitations, microfluidic devices, such as the SwimCount™ Harvester, have been developed to mimic the natural selection of Progressive Motile Sperm Cells (PMSCs). These advanced microfluidic systems reduce the necessary manipulation steps to the lowest level possible, offering a safer and user-friendly approach that yields sperm with significantly improved quality parameters, including reduced DNA fragmentation and better morphology.