Research activities and resources in in-vitro fertility practices: a survey of nursing professionals

Abstract

The magnetic levitation platform consists of polymethyl methacrylate (PMMA), permanent neodymium magnets and aluminum-coated mirrors. 3-mm-thick PMMA components were cut with a laser cutter. A microchannel is placed between two permanent neodymium magnets (NdFeB) with same poles facing each other (1). We applied magnetic levitation principles to profile and sort cells from TESE samples, as a function of their unique levitation profiles. A tissue biopsy sample is suspended in a paramagnetic medium and introduced to the magnetic levitation platform. Tissue sample is levitated, sorted and flowed along the capillary, until they reached their equilibrium height within the system. Levitation heights were imaged an analyzed by in-house developed image analysis software. RESULTS: We have shown that sperm and RBCs in TESE samples have a uniquely different levitation and density signatures. Thus, sperm cells can be sorted and purified using the magnetic levitation system. CONCLUSIONS: Our preliminary results demonstrate that this simple, inexpensive and easy-to-use technology could revolutionize sperm isolation post TESE/TESA by significantly improving the simplicity, efficiency and yield of usable sperm after for ICSITESE/TESA.