Technological Development for Fabricating Microchannel for Fertile Sperm Selection in Infertility Treatment

In the process of IMSI infertility treatment, which is highly effective, the doctor needs to select sperms based on their morphology by observing sperms under a clinical microscope and selecting them one by one. A perfect sperm has no vacuoles or defects on the head, clearly visible on the acrosome. The shape is not deformed. The midpiece and the tail are not broken. In this research project, we, therefore, aim to develop a kit device to support the medical doctor in selecting the perfect sperm with ease, saving time and expecting to increase the chances of success in infertility treatment. Based on principle 1) the specific morphology that the sperm is perfect and able to be fertilized (Fertile and motile sperm) in which the absence of DNA fragmentation. 2) The positive rheotaxis behavior; the normal and abnormal sperms are able to swim at a velocity in the range of 27-101 micrometers per second and forward swimming whereas the average velocity of the normal sperms in semen was 96.5 micrometers per second. 3) Use the principle of designing a microchannel-assisted screening tool that mimics the nature of the tubal. It will consist of a semen preparation chamber. A channel for sperm to swim upstream in the liquid or semen preparation solution. Cavity for injection of the solution stimulates the sperm to respond showing rheotaxis. A part for storing the sorted sperms. Therefore, in the design, a method of modeling the conditions in the system mimics to that in the female reproductive system. It is to stimulate the motility behavior of the sperm to swim to the designated area to select the perfect sperm both physically and qualitatively. Our microchannel system can be produced by lithography techniques and using polydimethylsiloxane material (PDMS) or other suitable polymer with biocompatible to sperms and flexible, can be molded easily for use. We believe that the microchannel tool kit will enhance the chances of success. When the sperm fertilizes the ovary cell and will get more quality embryos. However, sperm selection by this method may be able to reduce the amount of sperm but with assisted reproductive technology by IMSI just need to use the one perfect sperm to fertilize the ovary cells directly. It does not depend on the number of sperm. This relies directly on the quality of the DNA contained in the sperm head. Thus, this sperm selection process does not reduce the efficiency of sperm in fertilization with ovary cells for direct treatment. We hypothesized that the above-mentioned process could be used to select the perfect sperm in those who do not have any serious abnormalities to be used in the treatment process with reproductive technology.