Applications of a microfabricated device for evaluating sperm function.
Mesoscale structures (microns dimensions, nL-pL volumes) have been designed and fabricated in silicon for use in various analytical tasks. We studied sperm motility and performed sperm selection in channels (80 microns wide x 20 microns deep), branching structures (40 microns wide x 20 microns deep, eight bifurcations), and channels containing barriers (7 microns feature size). Sperm-cervical mucus and sperm-hyaluronic acid interactions were assessed by using appropriate microchannel-chamber structures filled with either cervical mucus or hyaluronic acid. Simultaneous assessment of the potency of different spermicides (e.g., nonoxynol-9, C13G) and spermicide concentrations was achieved with structures comprising chambers containing spermicide connected via channels to a central chamber into which semen was introduced. Semen was also tested for the presence of sperm-specific antibodies by using microchannels filled with human anti-IgG antibody-coated microbeads.
Department of Pathology and Laboratory Medicine, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia 19104-4283.
L J
LJ
Kricka
O
O
Nozaki
S
S
Heyner
W T
WT
Garside
P
P
Wilding
D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008853:Microscopy / Q000295:instrumentation*; D012825:Silicon; D013081:Sperm Motility / Q000502:physiology*
D012825:Silicon