Apparatus and methods for high throughput sperm sorting

Abstract

The present disclosure relates to a system, device, and method for sorting sperm cells in a microfluidic chip. Specifically, a variety of different features were incorporated into microfluidic chips and into sorting systems for aligning and orienting sperm in multiple flow channels, and for determining sperm orientation and measuring relative DNA content .

Description

technical field [0001] In general, the present disclosure relates to an apparatus and method for sorting particles, and more particularly to high-throughput sorting of sperm cells in microfluidic chips. Background technique [0002] Various techniques, including flow cytometry, have been used to generate sperm populations that are enriched for certain desirable characteristics. In the livestock production industry, the ability to influence reproductive outcomes has clear benefits. For example, sex preselection provides economic benefits to the dairy industry because preselected female offspring ensure the birth of cows. Similarly, the beef and pork industries, as well as other meat producers, benefit from producing male offspring. Additionally, endangered or exotic species can be placed in accelerated breeding programs through an increased percentage of female offspring. [0003] Previous efforts to produce commercially viable sperm populations for sorting X-bearing or Y-...

AI Technical Summary

Problems solved by technology

Eventually, sperm ejected at 15m / s from an air excitation nozzle will impact the fluid in a collection container or the walls of that container at a similar velocity, leading to further chances of harming the sperm

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