|
MACS® (Apoptotic sperm cell removal)
At Embryoland, we have the opportunity to use the MACS® ART Annexin V
System in order to obtain high quality spermatozoa for use in assisted
reproduction treatments, thus increasing your chances of achieving a pregnancy.
This technique can benefit all patients undergoing assisted reproduction
treatments but is mostly useful in cases of:
- Sperm samples with a high level of sperm DNA
fragmentation
- Repeated miscarriages with an unidentified cause
- Previous failed IVF cycles
- Suboptimal embryo quality when it is not
attributed to oocyte quality
Please refer to your treating doctor at Embryoland, should you wish to
proceed with this technique.
What is the MACS® ART Annexin V System?
Apoptotic sperm cells (sperm cells that are programmed to undergo cell
death) in sperm preparations decrease the specimen quality. The MACS® ART Annexin
V System is designed to allow spermatozoa with the best characteristics to be
selected for use in assisted reproduction treatments by selectively removing
apoptotic spermatozoa from sperm preparations.
How does it work?
Annexin V recognizes the antigen EPS (externalized phosphatidylserine) in
the plasma membrane of apoptotic cells. Apoptotic cell removal begins with the
magnetic labeling of apoptotic sperm cells by the MACS® ART
Annexin V Reagent, which are tiny biodegradable magnetic particles
that have an antibody attached (the protein annexin V). The labeled sperm
cells are then passed through a separation column located in a fixed magnetic
field. Unwanted sperm cells are selectively retained in the column. Living
spermatozoa are not labeled by the reagent, so they pass through the column and
are collected for later use.
The enriched sperm populations show higher
overall quality in terms of: morphology, motility, DNA fragmentation,
apoptosis, cryosurvival rates, fertilization potential and embryo cleavage
rates.
|
