title: Controlled micromanipulation of human sperm in three dimensions with an infrared laser optical trap: effect on sperm velocity.
abstract: Individual human sperm can be micromanipulated in three dimensions using a 1.06 microns Nd:YAG laser trap. Single sperm swimming with velocities in the range of 65 to 85 microns/sec can be trapped with 40 mW of power through 120 seconds without a deleterious effect on velocity. Even though it will be necessary to further evaluate the effects of laser light on specific functions of sperm, our data suggest that decreasing the time of manipulation to a minimum will increase the safety of the micromanipulation procedures. Laser traps may play a role in assisted reproductive technology by facilitating the selective transport of individual sperm.
authors.affiliation: Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, University of Medicine and Dentistry of New Jersey-New Jersey Medical School, Rutgers State University of New Jersey, Newark.
authors.forename: J M
authors.initials: JM
authors.lastname: Colon
authors.forename: P
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Sarosi
authors.forename: P G
authors.initials: PG
authors.lastname: McGovern
authors.forename: A
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Askin
authors.forename: J M
authors.initials: JM
authors.lastname: Dziedzic
authors.forename: J
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Skurnick
authors.forename: G
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Weiss
authors.forename: E M
authors.initials: EM
authors.lastname: Bonder
mesh_terms: D000704:Analysis of Variance; D006801:Humans; D007834:Lasers; D008297:Male; D012099:Reproductive Techniques; D013081:Sperm Motility; D013094:Spermatozoa / Q000502:physiology*