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Use of microfluidic sperm extraction chips as an alternative method in patients with recurrent in vitro fertilisation failure

  • Assisted Reproduction Technologies
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Abstract

Purpose

It is known that sperm preparation techniques in in vitro fertilisation (IVF) are intended to select the best-quality sperm. The aim of this study is to compare sperm the density gradient method and microfluidic chip (Fertile Plus) method in infertile patients by analysing fertilisation rates, pregnancy rates, and sperm morphology and DNA fragmentation rates posed by these two methods.

Methods

Using semen samples obtained from the patients, sperms were prepared with gradient (n = 312) and microfluidic chip methods (n = 116). Fertilisation and pregnancy rates were compared in the first time and in the recurrent IVF trial patients. In addition, the morphology and DNA fragmentation comparison of sperm samples were evaluated by Toluidine blue in situ chemical staining method.

Results

There was no statistically significant difference between fertilisation and pregnancy rates when compared with study groups in first-time IVF treatment patients. However, in recurrent IVF failure patients, there was a significant difference in fertilisation rates but no statistically significant difference was found in pregnancy rates. The microfluidic chip method significantly decreased sperm DNA fragmentation index according to density gradient method.

Conclusions

Microfluidic chip method may be recommended in patients with recurrent unsuccessful in vitro trials. The sperm DNA fragmentation test prior to the treatment will be helpful in selecting the appropriate sperm-washing method.

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Funding

This study was funded by Inonu University Research Fund (2016/147).

Author information

Authors and Affiliations

  1. Doğu Fertil IVF Center, Malatya, Turkey

    Koray Yildiz

  2. Department of Medical Biology and Genetics, Medicine Faculty, School of Medicine, Inonu University, 44280, Malatya, Turkey

    Sengul Yuksel

Authors
  1. Koray Yildiz
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  2. Sengul Yuksel
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Corresponding author

Correspondence to Sengul Yuksel.

Ethics declarations

The study was submitted to and has been approved by Malatya Province Clinical Research Council of Ethics with the protocol number 2017-34.

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Yildiz, K., Yuksel, S. Use of microfluidic sperm extraction chips as an alternative method in patients with recurrent in vitro fertilisation failure. J Assist Reprod Genet 36, 1423–1429 (2019). https://doi.org/10.1007/s10815-019-01480-3

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s10815-019-01480-3

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