The influence of the female reproductive tract and sperm features on the design of microfluidic sperm-sorting devices

J Assist Reprod Genet. 2022 Jan;39(1):19-36. doi: 10.1007/s10815-021-02377-w. Epub 2022 Jan 16.

Abstract

Although medical advancements have successfully helped a lot of couples with their infertility by assisted reproductive technologies (ART), sperm selection, a crucial stage in ART, has remained challenging. Therefore, we aimed to investigate novel sperm separation methods, specifically microfluidic systems, as they do sperm selection based on sperm and/or the female reproductive tract (FRT) features without inflicting any damage to the selected sperm during the process. In this review, after an exhaustive studying of FRT features, which can implement by microfluidics devices, the focus was centered on sperm selection and investigation devices. During this study, we tried not to only point to the deficiencies of these systems, but to put forth suggestions for their improvement as well.

Keywords: Female reproductive tract; Infertility; Microfluidics; Sperm selection.

Publication types

  • Review

MeSH terms

  • Adult
  • Female
  • Genitalia, Female / microbiology
  • Genitalia, Female / physiology*
  • Humans
  • Male
  • Microfluidics / instrumentation
  • Microfluidics / methods
  • Microfluidics / statistics & numerical data
  • Reproductive Techniques, Assisted / standards
  • Reproductive Techniques, Assisted / trends
  • Sperm Count / instrumentation*
  • Sperm Count / methods
  • Sperm Count / trends
  • Spermatozoa / cytology*
  • Spermatozoa / microbiology