News | New Microfluidic Technology May Improve IVF Outcomes in Male Infertility
As assisted reproductive technology advances, more families are having children through in vitro fertilization (IVF). However, lower success rates associated with male infertility create substantial emotional and financial pressure for many couples. Researchers at the University of Technology Sydney (UTS) and NeoGenix Biosciences, a UTS-incubated startup, recently developed a new microfluidic technology that offers a more reliable way to select high-quality sperm and may improve IVF outcomes.
Male infertility affects IVF outcomes
According to the World Health Organization, about one in six people worldwide experiences infertility, with male factors accounting for approximately 30% of cases. Causes include low sperm count, poor motility, and poor sperm quality. IVF is a primary route to parenthood for many families facing male infertility, but treatment still has a failure rate of about 78%. Each cycle can be an emotional roller coaster and may end in disappointment.
“Although many innovations in egg and embryo selection aim to improve IVF success rates, sperm selection remains one of the most overlooked technical challenges in assisted reproduction,” said Professor Majid Warkiani of the UTS School of Biomedical Engineering.
A new microfluidic technology that mimics natural selection in the female reproductive tract
To address this issue, Professor Warkiani and the NeoGenix Biosciences team developed and tested a new microfluidic sperm-selection device. Its bioinspired design simulates natural sperm selection in the female reproductive tract and addresses limitations of conventional methods.
Traditional methods such as density-gradient centrifugation and swim-up may contribute to sperm DNA fragmentation and cell death, potentially causing IVF cycles to fail. The new device is 3D-printed to mimic the female reproductive tract, allowing sperm to undergo a process resembling natural selection so that only a small number of high-quality sperm reach the egg.
Technology improves sperm DNA integrity and survival
Researchers extensively tested the technology against conventional IVF-selection methods. Results showed an 85% improvement in sperm DNA integrity and an average 90% reduction in sperm death. Sperm selected with the technology also recovered better after freezing.
Professor Warkiani said: “This technology significantly improved sperm quality, particularly DNA integrity and survival, providing more reliable selection criteria that may help improve IVF outcomes.”
Clinical outlook: Collaboration to improve infertility treatment
The findings were published in Nature: Microsystems & Nanoengineering. To advance clinical use, the team is working with Monash University and several Australian IVF clinics. Researchers hope the technology will help more infertility patients by reducing failed IVF cycles.
“We hope this technology will offer infertility patients a higher-quality sperm-selection method, further improve IVF outcomes, and ease the pressure many families face,” Professor Warkiani added.
News | New Microfluidic Technology May Improve IVF Outcomes in Male Infertility
News | New Microfluidic Technology May Improve IVF Outcomes in Male Infertility
As assisted reproductive technology advances, more families are having children through in vitro fertilization (IVF). However, lower success rates associated with male infertility create substantial emotional and financial pressure for many couples. Researchers at the University of Technology Sydney (UTS) and NeoGenix Biosciences, a UTS-incubated startup, recently developed a new microfluidic technology that offers a more reliable way to select high-quality sperm and may improve IVF outcomes.
Male infertility affects IVF outcomes
According to the World Health Organization, about one in six people worldwide experiences infertility, with male factors accounting for approximately 30% of cases. Causes include low sperm count, poor motility, and poor sperm quality. IVF is a primary route to parenthood for many families facing male infertility, but treatment still has a failure rate of about 78%. Each cycle can be an emotional roller coaster and may end in disappointment.
“Although many innovations in egg and embryo selection aim to improve IVF success rates, sperm selection remains one of the most overlooked technical challenges in assisted reproduction,” said Professor Majid Warkiani of the UTS School of Biomedical Engineering.
A new microfluidic technology that mimics natural selection in the female reproductive tract
To address this issue, Professor Warkiani and the NeoGenix Biosciences team developed and tested a new microfluidic sperm-selection device. Its bioinspired design simulates natural sperm selection in the female reproductive tract and addresses limitations of conventional methods.
Traditional methods such as density-gradient centrifugation and swim-up may contribute to sperm DNA fragmentation and cell death, potentially causing IVF cycles to fail. The new device is 3D-printed to mimic the female reproductive tract, allowing sperm to undergo a process resembling natural selection so that only a small number of high-quality sperm reach the egg.
Technology improves sperm DNA integrity and survival
Researchers extensively tested the technology against conventional IVF-selection methods. Results showed an 85% improvement in sperm DNA integrity and an average 90% reduction in sperm death. Sperm selected with the technology also recovered better after freezing.
Professor Warkiani said: “This technology significantly improved sperm quality, particularly DNA integrity and survival, providing more reliable selection criteria that may help improve IVF outcomes.”
Clinical outlook: Collaboration to improve infertility treatment
The findings were published in Nature: Microsystems & Nanoengineering. To advance clinical use, the team is working with Monash University and several Australian IVF clinics. Researchers hope the technology will help more infertility patients by reducing failed IVF cycles.
“We hope this technology will offer infertility patients a higher-quality sperm-selection method, further improve IVF outcomes, and ease the pressure many families face,” Professor Warkiani added.
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Compiled from online sources