The invention encompasses methods for reducing the proportion of sperm cells with abnormal morphology, and unviable sperm cells, in a sperm cell population.

The present invention relates to apparatuses for use in electrophoretic separation of macromolecules and/or cells, and in which circulating buffer streams are not required for the electrophoretic separation of macromolecules and/or cells. In certain embodiments, the electrophoretic apparatus disclosed herein comprise a sample chamber and a harvest chamber separated by a size-exclusion membrane; non-circulating buffer chambers flanking each respective sample chamber and harvest chamber, wherein each buffer chamber is separated from each respective sample chamber and harvest chamber by an ion-permeable membrane (restriction membrane), and wherein the buffer chambers are sealed and contain a buffer solution; and an electrode positioned in each buffer chamber. Also disclosed are related methods of using the electrophoretic apparatus disclosed herein.

Disclosed herein are methods for the detection of the presence of sperm DNA fragmentation in a semen sample. The methods include embedding of sperm cells of the semen sample in a gel, denaturing DNA of the sperm cells, and lysing the nuclear proteins of the sperm cells. The present method includes an ionic surfactant sodium dodycyl sulfate (SDS) and a chaotropic agent urea in the lysis solution for releasing DNA from protamine of chromosome, which significantly reduces the time required for lysis. A kit for detecting sperm DNA fragmentation in a semen sample is also disclosed.

An object of the present invention is to provide a method for cryopreserving rat sperms and an in vitro fertilization method using cryopreserved rat sperms. The present invention provides a method for preparing cryopreserved rat sperms, characterized by comprising the following steps: step a: a preparation step of collecting rat sperms from the rat cauda epididymis to prepare a sperm suspension, step b: a cooling step of cooling the sperm suspension to about 1° C. or lower, and step c: a freezing step of freezing the rat sperm suspension cooled to about 1° C. or lower.

System and method includes a body having a central microchannel separated by one or more porous membranes. The membranes are configured to divide the central microchannel into a two or more parallel central microchannels, wherein one or more first fluids are applied through the first central microchannel and one or more second fluids are applied through the second or more central microchannels. The surfaces of each porous membrane can be coated with cell adhesive molecules to support the attachment of cells and promote their organization into tissues on the upper and lower surface of the membrane. The pores may be large enough to only permit exchange of gases and small chemicals, or to permit migration and transchannel passage of large proteins and whole living cells. Fluid pressure, flow and channel geometry also may be varied to apply a desired mechanical force to one or both tissue layers.

A sperm wash device for collecting motile sperm includes a first chamber section for holding an unwashed semen sample, a second chamber section for holding sperm wash media disposed over and attached to the first chamber section, and a ledge separating the first chamber section from the second chamber section. The ledge includes a slot therein that is configured be filled with sperm wash media that does not get recovered. A slider is placed on the ledge. Characteristically, the slider is moveable between a first position and a second position. At the first position, the slider allows fluid communication between the first chamber section and the second chamber section. At the second position, the slider blocks fluid communication between the first chamber section and the second chamber section. A method of using the sperm wash device is also provided.

A urine-derived mesenchymal stem cell mitochondria as well as a transplantation method and use thereof. The urine-derived mesenchymal stem cell mitochondrion is extracted from urine to be used for improving the quality of oocytes. The transplantation method comprises: jointly injecting sperms and the urine-derived mesenchymal stem cell mitochondria into mature oocytes for blastaea culture during the intracytoplasmic sperm microinjection. The present disclosure has the beneficial effects: during the traditional ICSI in combination with the transplantation of the urine-derived mesenchymal stem cell mitochondria, the fertilization rate of human in-vitro fertilization and the quality of embryos are significantly improved; the urine-derived mesenchymal stem cell mitochondria of the present disclosure can be used for in-vitro fertilization of low-prognosis patients with infertility with a good treatment effect; the problem of an autologous mitochondrion source in the prior art is solved without involving the introduction of a third-party genetic material and ethical issues.

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.

Semen and sperm cell processing and preservation systems, and methods of producing a mammal and methods of producing mammalian embryos are disclosed. The present invention is directed to sperm cell preservation, fertilization, and insemination, maintaining or enhancing sperm quality and addressing one or more sperm cell characteristics, such as viability, motility, functionality, fertilization rates, and pregnancy rates. Further, sperm cell characteristics may be addressed within the context of various collection, handling, separation, storage, transportation, usage, fertilization, or insemination techniques.

Artificial cervical fluid is disclosed that contains a mucilaginous extract from the okra plant. The mucilaginous extract can be produced using a hot aqueous extractant or cold extraction process followed by separation of larger particles from the extract. The extract finds many uses, for example as a sperm storage medium, a sperm freezing medium, a sexual lubricant, an artificial insemination medium, and an in vitro fertilization medium.