ABSTRACT
OBJECTIVE:
To compare the differences between the sperm parameters in needle swim up and density gradient
centrifugation sperm preparation method.
MATERIALS:
STUDY DESIGN:
Prospective Observational study
STUDY CONDUCTED AT:
Department of Embryology, Gunasheela Surgical and Maternity Hospital, Bangalore.
STUDY PERIOD:
December 2022- March 2023
METHODOLOGY:
PATIENT CRITERIA
INCLUSION CRITERIA:
Patients with normozoospermic sample undergoing IVF/ICSI
Patients with history of infertility
EXCLUSION CRITERIA:
Retro positive samples
Donor-recipient cycle
Patients with wash technique for IVF/ICSI
STUDY GROUP:
This prospective study includes 53 normozoospermic sample patients who were undergoing IVF/ICSI
and with history of infertility.
MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES:
Concentration ,motility in final swim-up.
RESULT:
The recovery observed with both the techniques are as follows the needle swim-up method's sperm
concentration is higher (i.e., 26.21 m/ml) than the DGC's (i.e., 14.83 m/ml). In contrast, sperm motility is
slightly greater in DGC (i.e.,89%) than in the needle swim-up approach (i.e.,82%).According to our
observation its noted that non-invasive needle swim-up technique is not time-consuming, easy, and costeffective, doesn’t cause sperm damage which otherwise happens with conventional centrifugation.
CONCLUSION:
Sperm separation is crucial in assisted reproductive technologies, based on different principles like migration,
filtration, or density gradient centrifugation techniques. However, there are some studies that centrifugation
steps and using gradient solutions may increase sperm DNA fragmentation. Hence this study was conducted
to find the difference between the final yield obtained from both conventional and non-invasive needle swim
up technique prepared semen sample.
The limitations of this prospective observational study are as follows; Individuals with significant sperm
issues are inappropriate for the procedure because the sperm can travel independently from the ejaculate to
the sperm washing medium. The yield from the needle swim-up technique is extremely low and can only be
used for ICSI, not IUI or IVF. The needle utilized imitates the physiological environment like fallopian tubes.
However, the sperm motility is slightly greater in DGC than novel technique that is needle swim-up
technique. While sperm concentration is higher in needle swim-up technique than DGC method.
In order to determine the rates of fertilisation and pregnancy with this innovative sperm preparation approach,
further study with a greater number of samples must be undertaken as there have been no clinical trials
employing the sperm created using this novel technology, such as ICSI.
KEY WORDS:
DGC (Density Gradient Centrifugation), Needle swim up, Non-invasive methods, Semen Analysis, Sperm
Swim-up, IUI (Intra Uterine Insemination),IVF (In Vitro Fertilization),ICSI (Intra Cytoplasmic Sperm
Injection).