MICROFLUIDIC SPERM SORTING ON FRESH AND FROZEN IVF CYCLES

Abstract

Objective

The isolation of the motile sperm without DNA fragmentation is essential for in vitro fertilization success. Recently, microfluidic sperm sorting techniques have been used for selecting the progressive motile sperms directly from ejaculate. However, the effect of microfluidic device usage on fertilization and pregnancy rate is unclear. This study aimed to evaluate the microfluidic device usage on the pregnancy rate with fresh and frozen embryos.

Study design

A retrospective study in which 249 participant was included in our In Vitro Fertilization Center has been analyzed between January 2016 and December 2018. Sperm samples from the group consisting of 144 participants were selected using the swim-up technique, as the other group consisting of 105 participants were selected using a microfluidic device. Fertile Chip® device was used for microfluidic sperm sorting preparation as the swim-up technique was applied for conventional sperm preparations. Sperm motility parameters, fertilization and pregnancy rates were evaluated.

Results

The male age, female age, mature oocyte number, and transferred embryo number did not vary significantly between microfluidic technique and swim-up technique groups. The sperm concentration, progressive motility levels, and fertilization rates were significantly higher in the microfluidic technique group (p<0.05). The clinical pregnancy rate did not differ between the microfluidic and swim-up technique groups. Interestingly, the pregnancy rate in the microfluidic technique group was slightly higher than the swim-up technique group in terms of frozen embryo transfer (Table 1).

Conclusion

The use of microfluidic devices significantly increased the fertilization rates. The routine use of the microfluidic device may show a slightly higher success in pregnancy rates.