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Chapter 25 - Sperm Selection in the Laboratory

from Section 4 - Laboratory Evaluation and Treatment of Male Infertility

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  06 December 2023

By
Denny Sakkas  and
Denis A. Vaughan
Edited by
Douglas T. Carrell ,
Alexander W. Pastuszak  and
James M. Hotaling
Douglas T. Carrell
Affiliation:
Utah Center for Reproductive Medicine
Alexander W. Pastuszak
Affiliation:
University of Utah
James M. Hotaling
Affiliation:
Utah Center for Reproductive Medicine
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Summary

In nature varying strategies are used to ensure that the best sperm arrives at the egg. Strategies to select the best sperm are far less rigorous in the setting of in vitro fertilization. In this chapter we discuss how in vitro sperm selection strategies utilize different components of the spermatozoon including their motility characteristics, size, membrane properties, and nuclear structure. Sperm selection strategies have included microfluidics, spectroscopy, label-free imaging, hyaluronan binding, and separation of sperm by charge. Although some studies have shown that sperm selection can improve embryo euploidy rates and pregnancy outcomes, in particular by reducing miscarriages, large clinical trials, focused on the male population who would benefit most from sperm selection, are still needed.

Keywords

male infertilitysperm selectionARTICSIIVFreproduction
Type
Chapter
Information
Men's Reproductive and Sexual Health Throughout the Lifespan
An Integrated Approach to Fertility, Sexual Function, and Vitality
 , pp. 197 - 203
Publisher: Cambridge University Press
Print publication year: 2023

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