Real Time Sperm Testing Takes Step Forward
Scientists have created a new method for testing sperm quality before it is used in IVF cycles. Currently, the results of testing the quality of sperm DNA can be used to make inferences about the sperm in a specimen or about the sperm that a particular male produces, not about a particular sperm itself. This is because current sperm DNA tests are destructive tests, which means that the sperm is rendered useless as a result of the testing and therefore cannot be used in fertilization. Unlike existing tests this new test is not destructive to the sperm and the "best" sperm can be chosen for fertilization.
As discussed in this article, researchers at the University of Edinburgh figured out how to chemically fingerprint a sperm to determine its quality. Laser light is used to trap an individual sperm and the sperm's DNA properties are identified by the patterm of the vibrations they emit in a process known as Raman spectroscopy.
Dr Alistair Elfick, lead scientist on the project, said: "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'." It should be noted that a sperm's job it two-fold: to contain a package of DNA that is of sufficient quality to create an embryo and support its normal development. The sperm also needs to be able to successfully deliver that DNA package to the egg. Dr. Elfick's work addresses only the DNA quality aspects of the sperm's job description and not the delivery aspects. Unfortunately, no data are available currently to determine the effectiveness of this procedure, but given what we know about the relationship between sperm quality and successful fertilization, it sounds like a promising approach. If proven successful during clinical trial this technology could be available in the next five to ten years.
As discussed in this article, researchers at the University of Edinburgh figured out how to chemically fingerprint a sperm to determine its quality. Laser light is used to trap an individual sperm and the sperm's DNA properties are identified by the patterm of the vibrations they emit in a process known as Raman spectroscopy.
Dr Alistair Elfick, lead scientist on the project, said: "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'." It should be noted that a sperm's job it two-fold: to contain a package of DNA that is of sufficient quality to create an embryo and support its normal development. The sperm also needs to be able to successfully deliver that DNA package to the egg. Dr. Elfick's work addresses only the DNA quality aspects of the sperm's job description and not the delivery aspects. Unfortunately, no data are available currently to determine the effectiveness of this procedure, but given what we know about the relationship between sperm quality and successful fertilization, it sounds like a promising approach. If proven successful during clinical trial this technology could be available in the next five to ten years.
posted by Kathleen, Contributing Editor at
1:00 PM
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