An integrated chip is provided and comprises systems for sperm sorting, oocyte incubation and fertilization and liquid perfusion. The sperm sorting system comprises an inlet, an outlet, a main channel and a branch channel. The main channel has a width which increases along a direction from the inlet toward the outlet. The branch channel is connected to the main channel. The oocyte incubation and fertilization system is connected to the branch channel and comprises upper and lower holes. The upper hole is larger than the oocyte to hold the oocyte to be fertilized by a sperm. The lower hole is smaller than the oocyte. The sorted sperms are introduced into the oocyte incubation and fertilization system through the branch channel, to fertilize with the oocytes in the upper holes. The liquid perfusion system is located below the lower holes and a liquid exchange is performed through the second holes.

Cell sorting methods that improve sorting efficiency and productivity by elevating sorting pressures and incorporate certain steps to help the cells better survive such elevated pressures. In the case of sperm, sorting the steps of standardizing sperm samples, staining sperm samples in a single step, calibrating a flow cytometer to place sperm in the leading edge of droplets, and changing a catch fluid distance may be incorporated individually, or in combination to help sperm better survive the sex sorting process.

An optical arrangement receives output light emanating from an object disposed within a fluid column that crosses an optical refraction boundary of the fluid column between the object and the optical arrangement. The optical arrangement modifies the output light such that the modified output light has an intensity that is more uniform than the output light.

A system and method for sorting sperm is provided. The system includes a housing and a microfluidic system supported by the housing. The system also includes an inlet providing access to the microfluidic system to deliver sperm to the microfluidic system and an outlet providing access to the microfluidic system to harvest sorted sperm from the microfluidic system. The microfluidic system provides a flow path for sperm from the inlet to the outlet and includes at least one channel extending from the inlet to the outlet to allow sperm delivered to the microfluidic system through the inlet to progress along the flow path toward the outlet. The microfluidic system also includes a filter including a first plurality of micropores arranged in the flow path between the inlet and the outlet to cause sperm traveling along the flow path to move against through the filter and gravity to reach the outlet.

A microfluidic chip orients and isolates components in a sample fluid mixture by two-step focusing, where sheath fluids compress the sample fluid mixture in a sample input channel in one direction, such that the sample fluid mixture becomes a narrower stream bounded by the sheath fluids, and by having the sheath fluids compress the sample fluid mixture in a second direction further downstream, such that the components are compressed and oriented in a selected direction to pass through an interrogation chamber in single file formation for identification and separation by various methods. The isolation mechanism utilizes external, stacked piezoelectric actuator assemblies disposed on a microfluidic chip holder, or piezoelectric actuator assemblies on-chip, so that the actuator assemblies are triggered by an electronic signal to actuate jet chambers on either side of the sample input channel, to jet selected components in the sample input channel into one of the output channels.

The present invention generally relates to compositions and methods for the handling of processed sperm populations including samples that are freshly collected, those transported as fresh samples, as well as samples that are frozen and thawed, those sorted into one or more subpopulations, and those that are otherwise processed or handled that impose trauma on the sperm cell. Such trauma can reduce the motility, fertility, viability and overall integrity of the sperm and reduce the sperm's ability to fertilize an egg, grow into a health embryo and produce a healthy offspring. The present invention relates to novel compounds that can be added to the sperm cell sample to reduce the traumatic effects of physical stress during mild as well as extensive sperm cell processing, methods of using the compounds in standard sperm processing procedures, the end products made from these methods including sperm and embryos, as well as methods of using those end products in assisted reproductive biology techniques in animals.

The invention relates to a device for separating mobile cells, formed by two reservoirs that share a side formed by a perforated plate in which at least one channel has a narrowed diameter, adopting a conical shape. A sample containing the cells is deposited in the first reservoir and the second reservoir is filled with a culture medium, with a level mark higher than that of the first reservoir, producing a current towards same. The device is used to select, in a semen sample, the most suitable spermatozoa for use in assisted reproduction techniques.

This disclosure relates to methods for sorting sperm cells in a microfluidic chip. In particular, various steps are incorporated to align and orienting sperm in flow channels, as well as, to determining sperm orientation and measure relative DNA content for analysis and/or sorting.

A sperm sorting device suitable for selectively isolating a plurality of motile sperms from a semen specimen includes a base whose bottom wall and surrounding wall define a receiving space, and a sorter securely coupled to the base and including a mounting member and a sorting filter. The mounting member has a sleeve located in the receiving space and an injection portion located at the bottom end of the sleeve and having an injection hole. The sorting filter is fixed on the sleeve and, together with the injection portion and the sleeve, defines a sorting chamber with an open top end. The sorting filter, the bottom wall, and the surrounding wall define a specimen chamber for receiving the semen specimen. The injection hole brings the specimen chamber and the sorting chamber into communication vertically, so the semen specimen can be injected through the injection hole into the specimen chamber rapidly.

The present invention provides novel methods of cell staining, such as bovine sperm, using electroporation or osmolality treatments at viability-enhancing temperatures. Furthermore, methods of highly efficient cell sorting that are especially suitable in sorting bovine sperm using novel cell staining procedures are also provided.