Frequency of Sperm DNA Fragmentation According to Selection Method: Comparison and Relevance of a Microfluidic Device and a Swim-up Procedure

Abstract

Introduction: Multiple rounds of centrifugation or washing spermatozoa can cause sperm DNA fragmentation (SDF); however, a microfluidic approach to select spermatozoa does not require centrifugation. Reports have suggested that sperm sorting using a microfluidic device is an effective method to select good quality spermatozoa, however, it is not known whether it reduces sperm DNA damage. We investigated whether the frequency of SDF was affected by selection method during sperm processing. Materials and Methods: Semen samples from ten men with normal, oligozoospermia and asthenozoospermia were split into two groups and sorted using a microfluidic device or by a swimup method. Subsequently, semen parameters and SDF were measured and analyzed using paired or non-paired Student’s t-tests. Results: For samples sorted by the microfluidic device (Sperm Sorter Qualis®; Menicon, Kasugai, Japan) or the swim-up method, both showed a decrease in SDF. However, the decrease was more significant when the microfluidic device was used. Conclusion: Sorting using the microfluidic device resulted in less SDF than did the swim-up method.

Keywords

• sperm concentration
• spermatozoa
• sperm selection