Microfluidic System for Rapid Isolation of Sperm From Microdissection TESE Specimens

Abstract

Objectives: To demonstrate a novel prototype microfluidic system for rapid isolation of sperm from real and simulated microdissection testicular sperm extraction samples.

Methods: The novel microfluidic system was tested using minced testicular biopsies from patients with nonobstructive azoospermia. The samples were split into 2 portions, conventional processing vs microfluidic. The embryologists were blinded to the processing protocol and searched the specimens for sperm after processing. We recorded the number of sperm found and the time to sperm identification and compared the sperm retrieval rates.

Results: When compared to conventional methods, samples processed through the microfluidic system were cleaner (decreased somatic cells/debris), with the average number of sperm identified per minute improving from 1.52 sperm per minute for the control and 13.5 sperm per minute with the device yielding an 8.88 fold improvement in the sperm found per minute for the device as compared to the control. Preliminary viability and morphology tests show a minimal impact on sperm processed through the microfluidic system.

Conclusion: The presented microfluidic system can facilitate rapid and efficient isolation of sperm from microdissection testicular sperm extraction samples. A prospective clinical trial to verify these results is needed to confirm this preliminary data.