Sperm, it’s in the shake
Researchers have developed a new sperm shaker technique to evaluate DNA damage in sperm for use in IVF. The lead scientist Dr Alistair Elfick says, “In natural conception the fittest and healthiest sperm are positively selected by the arduous journey they make to the egg. What our technology does is to replace natural selection with a DNA based ‘quality score’ to help determine “if the sperm is strong and healthy.”
Using two highly focused beams of laser light like optical tweezers, researchers identify the sperms DNA properties by the pattern of the vibrations they emit. Previous quality test of sperm involved cutting them open to check their shape and activity. These tests only gave and indication of health not DNA damage and also killed the sperm rendering them useless. The new test does not destroy the sperm and can therefore still be used in IVF treatment.
Researchers hope this new test will not only help increase IVF success rates but also potentially give IVF babies the best possible start in life.
