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Positive rheotaxis extended drop: a one-step procedure to select and recover sperm with mature chromatin for intracytoplasmic sperm injection

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Abstract

Purpose

The purpose of this study was to develop a novel one-step ICSI approach to select sperm with better chromatin maturity than the conventional method.

Methods

This was a pilot diagnostic study, which prospectively recruited men during a 6-month period in a University-affiliated infertility centre. Forty consecutive semen samples were provided for analysis. The positive rheotaxis extended drop (PRED) was set up creating a pressure and viscosity gradient. Each semen sample was divided into four aliquots: one aliquot for density gradient centrifugation (DGC), two aliquots for PRED (fresh semen (PRED-FS) and processed semen (PRED-DGC)), and one aliquot as the control (FS). In PRED, a mean of 200 spermatozoa were collected consecutively without selection from the outlet reservoir. The aniline blue assay was used to assess chromatin immaturity.

Results

The mean channel length, measured from inlet to outlet, was 32.55 ± 0.86 mm, with a mean width of 1.04 ± 0.21 mm. In 82.5% of cases (33/40), at least 50 spermatozoa were captured between 15 and 30 min. Improved chromatin maturity after the DGC preparation and the PRED approach was observed in all samples. This was reflected by a mean reduction from 28.65 ± 8.97% uncondensed chromatin in the native ejaculates to 17.29 ± 7.72% in DGC and 0.89 ± 1.31% in the PRED approach (P < 0.01).

Conclusions

The PRED method may improve the current ICSI technique by providing it with its own sperm selection process. ICSI would probably become an even more complete technique comprising selection, capture and injection of the male gamete.

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Acknowledgements

The authors gratefully acknowledge Henrique P. Fazao and the entire IVF team for their enthusiasm and support.

Authors’ roles

H.M. and M.S.C. played a role in the conception, design and acquisition of the data, drafted the manuscript and reviewed the final version. B.C.T., P.C.S, G.J.A.W and E.P.M participated in data interpretation, critical revision and final approval of the manuscript. P.A.A.M, M.S., J.M.S.J and E.C.B were involved in data analysis, drafting of the manuscript and its final approval.

Funding

This study did not receive any financial support.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Human Reproduction Center, University of Sao Paulo Medical School, Av. Dr. Eneas de Carvalho Aguiar 255, Sao Paulo, 05403-000, Brazil

    Hamilton De Martin, Marcello S. Cocuzza, Bruno C. Tiseo, Guilherme J. A. Wood, Eduardo P. Miranda, Pedro A. A. Monteleone, José Maria Soares Jr., Paulo C. Serafini, Miguel Srougi & Edmund C. Baracat

  2. Division of Urology, University of Sao Paulo Medical School, Sao Paulo, Brazil

    Hamilton De Martin, Marcello S. Cocuzza, Bruno C. Tiseo, Guilherme J. A. Wood, Eduardo P. Miranda & Miguel Srougi

  3. Discipline of Gynecology, University of Sao Paulo Medical School, Sao Paulo, Brazil

    Pedro A. A. Monteleone, José Maria Soares Jr., Paulo C. Serafini & Edmund C. Baracat

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  1. Hamilton De Martin
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  2. Marcello S. Cocuzza
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  3. Bruno C. Tiseo
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Correspondence to Marcello S. Cocuzza.

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De Martin, H., Cocuzza, M.S., Tiseo, B.C. et al. Positive rheotaxis extended drop: a one-step procedure to select and recover sperm with mature chromatin for intracytoplasmic sperm injection. J Assist Reprod Genet 34, 1699–1708 (2017). https://doi.org/10.1007/s10815-017-1024-1

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s10815-017-1024-1

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