Conventional sperm processing uses centrifugation has a negative effect on sperm parameters and DNA integrity. We designed and fabricated a novel microfluid device based on chemotaxis and thermotaxis, and compared it with the swim‐up method. Twenty normal samples with high DNA fragmentation were included. Each sample was divided into four groups: Group 1, control, Group 2: sperm selection by thermotaxis, Group 3: sperm selection by chemotaxis, and Group 4: sperm selection with thermotaxis and chemotaxis. We used cumulus cells in a microfluid device to create chemotaxis, and, two warm stages to form a temperature gradient for thermotaxis. The spermatozoa were assessed based on the concentration, motility, and fine morphology using Motile Sperm Organelle Morphology Examination, mitochondrial membrane potential (MMP), acrosome reaction (AR), and sperm DNA fragmentation. Concentration (22.40 ± 5.39 vs. 66.50 ± 19.21; p < 0.001) and DNA fragmentation (12.30 ± 3.96% vs. 17.95 ± 2.89%; p < 0.001) after selection in the chemotaxis and thermotaxis microfluid device were significantly lower than control group. The progressive motility (93.75 ± 4.39% vs. 75.55 ± 5.86%, p < 0.001), normal morphology (15.45 ± 2.50% vs. 10.35 ± 3.36, p < 0.001), MMP (97.65 ± 1.81% vs. 94 ± 3.89%, p = 0.02), and AR status (79.20 ± 5.28% vs. 31.20 ± 5.24%, p < 0.001) in the chemotaxis and thermotaxis microfluid device were significantly increased compared to control group. According to these findings, spermatozoa that have penetrated the cumulus oophorus have better morphology and motility, as well as acrosome reactivity and DNA integrity.

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Background: Today, most patients with cutaneous leishmaniasis are treated with drugs such as glucantime; however, severe drug resistance to these drugs is found, in addition to recurrence, extensive drug complications, and secondary infections in many patients. Objectives: Therefore, due to the lack of sufficient information on this subject, this study was undertaken for the first time to investigate the antimicrobial activity of multifunctional lactoferrin as one of the most important bioactive compounds on amastigotes and promastigotes forms of Leishmania major in vitro. Methods: In this study, six concentrations of lactoferrin (2.5, 5, 10, 20, 40, and 80 µg/mL) were added to parasite cultures at specified times. The MTT was done. Leishmania major promastigotes were incorporated to J774 cells and then incubated for 72 hours. The results were compared with the results of glucantime, as a standard. In the end, flow cytometry was performed to investigate apoptosis. Results: After 24, 48, and 72 hours of incubation in the presence of various concentrations of lactoferrin, the number of amastigotes and promastigote parasites increased over time without any significant difference compared to the control group (P > 0.05), but it was significant compared to glucantime at the 80 µg/mL concentration (P < 0.05). Besides, lactoferrin showed very low toxicity effects on macrophages and stimulated the growth of both forms of L. major parasite. Conclusions: Our findings indicated that lactoferrin could not induce early and late apoptosis in both forms of L. major.