Innovative lab techniques

The causes of male infertility are addressed and the chances of success are maximized, based on innovative lab practices.

Careful investigation of male infertility aims to find the cause. However, the ultimate aim is to treat it as best possible, so as to reach the desired result.

To this end, and based on innovative lab practices, the causes are addressed and the chances of success are maximized, based on innovative lab practices.

Choosing the most suitable sperm during assisted reproduction plays a major role in the end result, as it affects both the success rates of the processes, and the quality and viability of the embryos. Therefore, the most suitable sperm is chosen after choosing the most suitable lab method, which meets the individual needs of each case.

SPERM VD – INNOVATIVE METHOD FOR LOW SPERM COUNT CRYOPRESERVATION

Sperm VD is a new cryopreservation method for samples with extremely low sperm count, using the vitrification technique. This method guarantees:

Optimum preservation of male fertility
Minimal sperm loss after thawing
Decreased need for interventional surgical procedures
Easy sperm retrieval

Contrary to the existing cryopreservation techniques, which are often contraindicated in cases of very low sperm count and during which a percentage of sperm does not survive thawing, sperm VD guarantees complete recovery of the number and motility of the sperm that were cryopreserved.

Moreover, it contributes towards avoiding surgical procedures, such as testicular biopsy (TESE/micro-TESE), while a significant advantage of this new platform is the fact that it is possible to thaw only the number of sperm necessary compared to the number of eggs collected during oocyte retrieval. This method is suitable for oligospermic patients and patients who have undergone testicular biopsy.

MICROFLUIDIC CHIPS

Through this method, the sample is treated using special chips, which mimic the natural selection process, without mechanical interventions on the sample that would have a negative effect on the sperm (e.g. increased DNA fragmentation, increased oxidative stress).

The microfluidic chips sort the motile from the immotile sperm and then eventually isolate motile sperm with better morphology and a DNA fragmentation index similar to the original sample.

This method is proposed and applied in cases involving:

High DNA fragmentation rate
High oxidative stress level
Repeated miscarriages
Low morphology rate (teratospermia)

PICSI

According to multiple studies, the PICSI method is a new approach for successful sperm selection using the ICSI assisted reproduction technique. Based on the PICSI method, sperm that bind to hyaluronic acid present maximum DNA integrity, while they seem to be more mature and suitable for fertilization.

This method is proposed and applied most effectively in cases involving:

High DNA fragmentation rate
Unexplained infertility
Implantation failure
Repeated miscarriages

IMCI

The innovative IMCI method is an improved level of the ICSI assisted reproduction technique. Based on this method, it is possible to select the most suitable sperm through magnification is excess of 6000x, assessing its morphology to the greatest extent, compared to simple ICSI. This method is proposed and applied most effectively in cases involving:

Very low morphology rate (teratospermia)
Low sperm count (oligospermia)
Implantation failure

MACS

The MACS method is a powerful tool in optimizing sperm selection during assisted reproduction. It is a new technique for sorting apoptotic and non-apoptotic sperm based on phosphatidylserine expression. As a result, apoptotic sperm is removed and the best is eventually collected.

In this technique, sperm with lower DNA fragmentation rates, higher progressive motility and better morphology compared to the initial samples is isolated.