A recent study, led by embryologist Ismael Vilella, confirmed that ZyMöt®, a sperm selection system based on microfluidic technology, offers significant advantages over conventional techniques used in assisted reproduction laboratories.
Its benefits include greater motility, a considerable reduction in DNA fragmentation, and a lower rate of sperm apoptosis — key factors for improving outcomes in in vitro fertilization (IVF) treatments.
Unlike classic methods such as density gradients or swim-up, which require centrifugation and can induce oxidative stress, ZyMöt® selects sperm without aggressive manipulation. The system mimics the natural path sperm follows through the female reproductive tract, allowing a more physiological selection of those with better functional and genetic integrity.
ZyMöt® Device
In this comparative study, 20 semen samples were analyzed using the three most common sperm selection techniques at the IVF-Life laboratory: density gradients (GRAD), swim-up (SU), and ZyMöt® (ZY), along with unprocessed (fresh) samples as controls. Parameters such as concentration, motility, vitality, apoptosis, and DNA fragmentation were evaluated using flow cytometry.
Results were particularly remarkable regarding cellular quality parameters. ZyMöt® achieved the highest sperm motility rate (98.1%), significantly surpassing GRAD and SU. It also registered the lowest DNA fragmentation (2.93%) and the lowest apoptosis rates, indicating reduced programmed cell death. In terms of vitality, the device also showed the best results, reinforcing its usefulness in selecting functionally competent sperm cells.
The only parameter showing lower recovery with ZyMöt® was sperm concentration, an expected finding due to the inherent dilution of the technique. However, this slight quantitative decrease is largely compensated by the qualitative improvement in the selected cells.
“ZyMöt® is a highly promising option for sperm selection in fertility laboratories, especially in cases with DNA fragmentation abnormalities,” said Vilella, adding that “its use may lead to improved fertilization, embryo development, and clinical success rates.”
The study has been selected for oral presentation at the upcoming ASEBIR edition, an honor reserved for the most relevant research of the congress. Thus, Vilella will share the study’s results with attendees at this important reproductive biology conference.