Loading magnetic nanoparticles into sperm cells does not affect their functionality

The spontaneous loading of magnetite nanoparticles into sperm cell was carried out by mixing an aqueous colloidal solution of Fe3O4-PVA with sperm cells (10(8) cells/ml) for 2 h at 37 degrees C suspended in glucose-free modified Tyrode solution. The penetration of the magnetite nanoparticles into the sperm cells was monitored by conventional analytical chemistry. We have demonstrated that the motility and the ability to undergo the acrosome reaction (i.e., the ability to fertilize the egg) were not affected by the presence of the magnetite nanoparticles.