Fertility hope as scientists hail ‘world first’ in sperm selection

A new technique of identifying the best sperm for fertility treatment could ultimately improve success rates and develop new methods to help boost male fertility

Fertility experts are hailing a new sperm selection technique which identifies the best sperm to use in fertility treatment as a ‘world first’.

Professor Allan Pacey, fertility expert from the University of Sheffield, who was part of the team involved in the new research, said: ‘To potentially have a technique which can examine the molecular structure of sperm without damaging them is really exciting.

Most of the advanced techniques we have available to examine the molecules in sperm end up destroying them in the process by either adding stains or by breaking open their membranes to look at the contents.’

The breakthrough is also significant because it could help scientists to develop new ways to treat men with substandard sperm.

Dr Steven Reynolds said: ‘The fact we can detect differences in molecular composition between samples of ‘good’ and ‘poor’ sperm is really significant because it opens up the opportunity for us to develop a novel biomarker to help with diagnosis. Or it might one day allow us to design specific therapies for men with poor sperm that might help give them a boost.’

http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/2017/05/24/hope-infertile-couples-scientists-hail-world-first-sperm-selection/

http://www.dailymail.co.uk/health/article-4535594/New-sperm-scanner-boost-men-s-chance-IVF-success.html