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PubMed · 8375079

Applications of a microfabricated device for evaluating sperm function.

L J Kricka·O Nozaki·S Heyner·W T Garside·P Wilding
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Abstract

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.

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HumansMaleMicroscopySiliconSperm MotilityJournal ArticleResearch Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

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L J Kricka, O Nozaki, S Heyner, W T Garside, P Wilding. 1993. Applications of a microfabricated device for evaluating sperm function.. https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/8375079/

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