A microfluidic sperm-sorting device based on rheotaxis effect

The ultimate challenge for assisted reproductive technologies (ARTs) is to select the most competent sperm population from a semen sample in an efficient way. In this paper, we report on an effective sperm sorting microfluidic device that exploits the rheotaxis of sperm and investigates the sperm quality sorted under various flow conditions. Rheotaxis is the ability of a sperm cell to orient itself in the direction of the flow and swim against it. A novel passively driven pumping system is reported that provides a steady flow rate while it requires no external power source. We demonstrate that sperm selected with this device at a specific flow rate have higher motility, normal morphology, and a fewer degree of DNA fragmentation compared to a control group

Automated summary

The study introduces an effective sperm sorting microfluidic device that utilizes rheotaxis of sperm to select higher quality sperm under different flow conditions. Additionally, the device features a novel passively driven pumping system that requires no external power source. Sperm selected with this device at specific flow rates exhibit better motility, morphology, and DNA integrity compared to a control group.