Microfluidic sperm sorting improves ICSI outcomes in patients with increased values of Double-Strand Breaks in sperm DNA

Abstract

Background: Delays in embryo kinetics, implantation failures in ICSI treatments and recurrent miscarriages have been associated with high values of Double-Strand Breaks (DSB) in sperm DNA. While conventional methods for semen preparation have been shown to be inefficient reducing DSB values, Microfluidic Sperm Sorting (MSS) devices are promising tools to reduce this damage.

Objective: To study the clinical utility of an MSS device in ICSI treatments when the male partner presents increased DSB values, as compared to the use of conventional methods based on sperm motility.

Methods: This retrospective cohort study included 28 infertile couples undergoing ICSI treatments. Only couples where the male partner presented increased values of DSB were included. DSB values were evaluated in semen samples by the Neutral Comet assay. Couples performed a first ICSI cycle using conventional methods for semen preparation (Density Gradients and Swim-up) and a second ICSI cycle using the ZyMōt™ICSI (formerly named FertileChip®) microfluidic device. Embryology and clinical outcomes were compared between ICSI cycles.

Results: Semen parameters and the number of obtained and fertilized oocytes did not show differences between ICSI rounds. Clinical outcomes were statistically better when MSS was used: the biochemical pregnancy rate increased 28.31%; the clinical pregnancy rate increased 35.56% and the number of live births increased 35.29%, as compared to the first ICSI cycle in this group of patients.

Conclusions: The ZyMōt™ICSI microfluidic device improved the reproductive outcomes in couples where the male partner presented increased DSB values, when compared to the use of conventional semen preparation techniques.

Keywords: Double-Strand Breaks; Fragmentación del ADN espermático; ICSI; Microfluidic sperm sorting; Roturas de cadena doble; Selección espermática; Selección espermática por microfluidos; Sperm DNA fragmentation; Sperm selection.