A novel microfluidic chip-based sperm-sorting device constructed using design of experiment method

Abstract

Microfluidics is proposed as a technique for efficient sperm sorting, to achieve the ultimate goal of resolving infertility problems in livestock industry. Our study aimed to design a microfluidic sperm-sorting device (SSD) through a high-efficacy and cost- and time-effective fabrication process, by using COMSOL Multiphysics simulation and modeling software, and the design of experiment (DOE) method. The eight factors affecting SSD performance were established. The simulation was then run, and statistically significant factors were analyzed. Minitab16 was used to optimize the design modulus factor. By setting the statistical significance at p < 0.05, the factors affecting experimental structure were analyzed. At a desirability of 97.99, the optimal parameters for the microfluidic chip were: angle between sperm and medium inlet chambers (A = 43°), sperm inlet flow rate (B = 0.24 µL min−1), medium inlet flow rate (C = 0.34 µL min−1), and inlet and outlet chamber lengths (D = 5000 µm). These optima were then applied to microfluidics device construction. The device was produced using soft lithographic microfabrication techniques and tested on Holstein–Friesian bull sperm. The highest bull sperm-sorting performance for this microfluidic device prototype was 96%. The error between the simulation and the actual microfluidic device was 2.72%. Fluid viscosity ranges analysis-based simulations revealed acceptable fluid viscosity tolerances for the SSD. The simulation results revealed that the acceptable tolerance range for fluid viscosity was 0.00001–0.003 kg m−1 s−1. This optimally designed microfluidic chip-based SSD may be integrated into sperm x/y separation micro devices.

A Method for Manufacturing Flexible Microfluidic Chip Based on Soluble Material

“…However, this method leads to insufficient chip strength. For this use of glass-glass material chip production [12], chemical vapor deposition was developed. Plasma etching machine etches microchannels in the glass and then bonds them under high temperature and pressure conditions, resulting in higher chip strength.…”

Recent Microfluidic Innovations for Sperm Sorting

“…On the other hand, as the passive methods are mainly based on the macroscopic morphology and displacement of the sperms, they provide a safer and less invasive sorting approach compared to the active methods. However, they are less capable of benefiting from specific sperm behaviors/characteristics [56][57][58].…”

“…This approach mimics the natural behavior of the spermatozoa in the female reproductive tract after passing through various fluids with different dynamics and breaking several boundaries to successfully fertilize an oocyte [66,73]. Thus, focusing on these characteristics has motivated many researchers to enhance ART by increasing the sorting throughput of highly motile and functional sperms [56].…”

Sperm Selection and Embryo Development: A Comparison of the Density Gradient Centrifugation and Microfluidic Chip Sperm Preparation Methods in Patients with Astheno-Teratozoospermia

“…Microfluidic chip-based sperm sorting is a recent and powerful tool, which has been introduced as an alternative to centrifugation-based, conventional techniques [ 18 , 19 , 20 ]. A variety of microfluidic devices with different approaches ranging from passive to flow or chemical-based sorting have been designed to efficiently isolate the highly motile and healthy sperm [ 21 , 22 , 23 , 24 , 25 , 26 ]. These technologies aim to develop a reliable and accurate system that enables high-throughput, functional sperm sorting similar to the natural sperm selection process [ 27 ].…”