A biomimetic sperm selection device for routine sperm selection.

Research Question: Can a biomimetic microfluidic sperm sorter isolate motile sperm while minimizing DNA damage in comparison with density gradient centrifugation (DGC)?

Design: This was a two-phase study of 61 men, consisting of a proof-of-concept study with 21 donated semen samples in a university research laboratory, followed by a diagnostic andrology study with 40 consenting patients who presented at a fertility clinic for semen diagnostics. Each sample was split to perform DGC and microfluidic sperm selection (one-step sperm selection with 15 min of incubation) side-by-side. Outcomes evaluated included concentration, progressive motility, and DNA fragmentation index (DFI) of raw semen, and sperm isolated using DGC and the microfluidic device.

The Effect of Dietary Patterns on Clinical Pregnancy and Live Birth Outcomes in Men and Women Receiving Assisted Reproductive Technologies: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis.

The nutritional status of reproductive-aged couples can have a significant impact on fertility status, but the effect of dietary patterns on pregnancy outcomes in people using assisted reproductive technologies (ARTs) is currently unknown. This review aimed to synthesize the published research investigating the relation between preconception dietary patterns and clinical pregnancy or live birth in men and women of reproductive age undergoing ART. Six electronic databases were systematically searched for original research published between January 1978 and June 2021.

Calcium chloride dihydrate supplementation at ICSI improves fertilization and pregnancy rates in patients with previous low fertilization: a retrospective paired treatment cycle study.

Purpose: To determine if 5mM calcium chloride dihydrate supplementation of the Polyvinylpyrrolidone (PVP) media at the time of ICSI (ICSI-Ca) improves fertilization, utilization, and clinical pregnancy rates compared to ICSI alone, particularly in patients with a history of low fertilization (< 50%).

Methods: Retrospective study between 2016 and 2021 at Monash IVF Victoria on a paired cohort of patients (n = 178 patients) where an ICSI cycle was analyzed coupled with the subsequent ICSI-Ca cycle. The paired cohort was further subdivided into a low-fertilization cohort (< 50% fertilization on previous cycles: n = 66 patients) compared to the remaining patients with fertilization ≥ 50% (n = 122).

The impact of COVID-19 mitigation measures on fertility patients and clinics around the world.

Research Question: What is the impact of the response to COVID-19 on the management of fertility treatments and clinical practice around the world?

Design: Fertility clinic associates around the world were approached. They completed an online survey containing 33 questions focused on the country's response to the COVID-19 pandemic. Known fertility clinic associates that were contacted comprised scientific directors, medical directors and laboratory managers.

Ageing and ovarian stimulation modulate the relative levels of transcript abundance of oocyte DNA repair genes during the germinal vesicle-metaphase II transition in mice.

Purpose: Oocyte quality and reproductive outcome are negatively affected by advanced maternal age, ovarian stimulation and method of oocyte maturation during assisted reproduction; however, the mechanisms responsible for these associations are not fully understood. The aim of this study was to compare the effects of ageing, ovarian stimulation and in-vitro maturation on the relative levels of transcript abundance of genes associated with DNA repair during the transition of germinal vesicle (GV) to metaphase II (MII) stages of oocyte development.

Methods: The relative levels of transcript abundance of 90 DNA repair-associated genes was compared in GV-stage and MII-stage oocytes from unstimulated and hormone-stimulated ovaries from young (5-8-week-old) and old (42-45-week-old) C57BL6 mice.

Macrozoospermia associated with mutations of AURKC gene: First case report in Latin America and literature review.

A Chilean 35-year-old male patient with a history of primary infertility made an appointment at the Unit of Reproductive Medicine at Clínica Las Condes, Santiago, Chile. Multiple semen analyses revealed abnormal sperm morphology as the most prevalent finding. Multiflagellated and macrocephalic spermatozoa were observed and indicated a possible macrozoospermic phenotype.

Minimal volume vitrification of epididymal spermatozoa results in successful fertilization and embryo development in mice.

This study compared three cryopreservation protocols on sperm functions, IVF outcomes, and embryo development. Epididymal spermatozoa cryopreserved using slow-cooling (18% w/v raffinose, RS-C) were compared with spermatozoa vitrified using 0.25 M sucrose (SV) or 18% w/v raffinose (RV).

[Association of age with sperm DNA fragmentation].

Background: There is an association between aging ana an increased number of sperms with alterations in nuclear DNA.

Aim: To study the association between age and fragmentation of sperm DNA.

Material And Methods: Sixty two volunteers provided semen for analysis.