A method for separating and enriching sperm from a tissue sample comprises: obtaining a microfluidic separating system having an inlet end and an outlet end, and a membrane filter (e.g., hollow fiber membrane filter) fluidly connected to the outlet end; separating the tissue sample via the microfluidic separating system into a debris fluid volume and a sperm fluid volume; and enriching the sperm fluid volume by removing excess media via the membrane filter. A two-stage tissue sample separation system comprising: a microchannel structure defining a separation fluid channel to form a separation stage; an inlet end of the microchannel structure; an outlet end of the microchannel structure; and a membrane filter fluidly connected to the outlet end for removal of at least a portion of excess media in the tissue sample.

A method for sorting motile cells includes introducing an initial population of motile cells into an inlet port of a microfluidic channel, the initial population of motile cells having a first average motility; incubating the population of motile cells in the microfluidic channel; and collecting a sorted population of motile cells at an outlet port of the microfluidic channel. The sorted population of motile cells has a second average motility higher than the first average motility.

The present application relates to a microfluidic system and its method for use for the separation of motile sperm from immotile sperm or motile bacteria from immotile bacteria. The system includes a housing having a first end, and a second end, with a passage connecting the first and second ends. There is an inlet at the first end of the housing for charging fluids into the passage and an outlet at the second end of said housing for discharging fluids from the passage. There are one or more corrals within the passage, each of the corrals including a closed side and a partially open side. The closed side of the corrals is closer to the first end than the partially open side, with the closed side and partially open side defining between them a confinement region suitable for retaining motile sperm or motile bacteria.

The present teachings provide for methods of separating live and dead spermatozoa cells from non-human mammalian sex-selected semen. Sex-selected semen is first treated with proteinase K and TCEP, then applied to a density gradient media for separation. Separation is typically accomplished through centrifugation. Commercially available density gradient media include PERCOLL? and BOVIPURE?. Separation of live and dead cells in sex selected semen allows for precise quantification of sex skew using ddPCR?.

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 method for biasing sex selection, the method comprising the introduction into a uterus of a subject a volume of micro-particle conjugates (10), wherein the micro-particle conjugates are proportioned so as to approximate the size and shape of spermatozoa and thereby be carried by peristaltic waves through the uterus and fallopian tubes to the infundibulum, at which point any spermatozoa present or arriving thereafter undergo capacitation and expose antigens that may be bound by anti-male antibodies (14) provided in the micro-particle conjugates (10), the binding of the exposed antigens on the spermatozoa by the anti-male antibodies resulting in their inability to penetrate the Zona Pellucida of an egg and effect fertilisation.

Systems and methods are provided for evaluating the quality of a semen sample at a mobile device. An assembly includes an optical assembly with at least one lens and a housing configured to engage with the mobile device such that an axis of the optical assembly is substantially aligned with a camera of the mobile device. The optical assembly is contained within the housing. A microfluidic chip includes a reservoir to hold the semen sample. The microfluidic chip engages with the housing such that the reservoir is aligned with the axis of the optical assembly.

This disclosure relates to cell sorting methods, and particularly cell sorting methods that improve the efficiency or productivity of sorting in a particle sorting instrument utilizing a measured parameter of sorting efficiency. In one embodiment, minimum productivity and minimum purity may be established and maintained while attempting to maximize the sorting efficiency. While in another embodiment, a minimum sorting efficiency and a minimum purity may be established and maintained while attempting to maximize the productivity of a sort.

The present disclosure provides a method for separating SSCs from a frozen testicular tissue, and belongs to the field of cell biology. In the present disclosure, the method includes the following steps: resuscitating a frozen testicular tissue, digesting the resuscitated testicular tissue with a collagenase IV and a DNase I until seminiferous tubules are exposed and tube walls become coarse; washing the digested testicular tissue with a DPBS, conducting centrifugation and culture until cells migrate; collecting the migrated cells, and enriching and purifying SSCs. The method can maintain a milieu interieur of the SSCs to the greatest extent, and therefore cell viability, and less cell damages. Therefore, the method can be used for the separation of SSCs from frozen testicular tissues.

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.