Sperm selection methods in the 21st century

Natural sperm selection in humans is a rigorous process resulting in the highest quality sperm reaching, and having an opportunity to fertilize, the oocyte. Relative to other mammalian species, the human ejaculate consists of a heterogeneous pool of sperm, varying in characteristics such as shape, s...

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Bibliographic Details
Published in:Biology of reproduction 2019-12, Vol.101 (6), p.1076-1082
Main Authors: Vaughan, Denis A, Sakkas, Denny
Format: Article
Language:English
Subjects:
21st century
Biomarkers
Deoxyribonucleic acid
DNA
DNA methylation
Epigenetics
Evolution (Biology)
Fertilization in vitro
Forecasts and trends
Genomes
Human reproductive technology
Hyaluronic acid
In vitro fertilization
in vitro fertilization (IVF)
Infertility
intracytoplasmic sperm injection (ICSI)
Microfluidics
Monkeys & apes
Motility
Nature
paternal age
Physiological aspects
Pregnancy
Quality
Reproductive health
Reproductive technologies
Reproductive technology
REVIEW
semen analysis
Sperm
sperm selection
Technology
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Summary:Natural sperm selection in humans is a rigorous process resulting in the highest quality sperm reaching, and having an opportunity to fertilize, the oocyte. Relative to other mammalian species, the human ejaculate consists of a heterogeneous pool of sperm, varying in characteristics such as shape, size, and motility. Semen preparation in assisted reproductive technologies (ART) has long been performed using either a simple swim-up method or density gradients. Both methodologies provide highly motile sperm populations; however neither replicates the complex selection processes seen in nature. A number of methods have now been developed to mimic some of the natural selection processes that exist in the female reproductive tract. These methods attempt to select a better individual, or population of, spermatozoa when compared to classical methods of preparation. Of the approaches already tested, platforms based upon sperm membrane markers, such as hyaluronan or annexin V, have been used to either select or deselect sperm with varied success. One technology that utilizes the size, motility, and other characteristics of sperm to improve both semen analysis and sperm selection is microfluidics. Here, we sought to review the efficacy of both available and emerging techniques that aim to improve the quality of the sperm pool available for use in ART. Summary Sentence This manuscript reviews the efficacy of both available and emerging sperm selection techniques to improve the pool of sperm available for assisted reproductive technologies.
ISSN:0006-3363
1529-7268
DOI:10.1093/biolre/ioz032