241 results about "Sperm cell" patented technology

Improved flow cytometer system particularly adapted to use for sex-selected sperm sorting include enhanced sheath fluid and other strategies which minimize stress on the sperm cells, including a 2.9 percent sodium citrate sheath solution for bovine species and a hepes bovine gamete media for equine species. Improved collection systems and techniques for the process are described so that commercial applications of sperms samples as well as the resulting animals may be achieved.

In embodiments of the present invention, a system and method of cytometry may include presenting a single sperm cell to at least one laser source configured to deliver light to the sperm cell in order to induce bond vibrations in the sperm cell DNA, and detecting the signature of the bond vibrations. The bond vibration signature is used to calculate a DNA content carried by the sperm cell which is used to identify the sperm cell as carrying an X-chromosome or Y-chromosome. Another system and method may include flowing cells past at least one QCL source one-by-one using a fluid handling system, delivering QCL light to a single cell to induce resonant mid-IR absorption by one or more analytes of the cell, and detecting, using a mid-infrared detection facility, the transmitted mid-infrared wavelength light, wherein the transmitted mid-infrared wavelength light is used to identify a cell characteristic.

A flow cytometry system (1) for sorting haploid cells, specifically irradiatable sperm cells, with an intermittingly punctuated radiation emitter (56). Embodiments include a beam manipulator (21) and even split radiation beams directed to multiple nozzles (5). Differentiation of sperm characteristics with increased resolution may efficiently allow differentiated sperm cells to be separated higher speeds and even into subpopulations having higher purity.

The present invention provides a method of cryopreserving sperm that have been selected for a specific characteristic. In a preferred embodiment, the method is employed to freeze sex-selected sperm. Although the cryopreservation method of the invention can be used to freeze sperm selected by any number of selection methods, selection using flow cytometry is preferred. The present invention also provides a frozen sperm sample that has been selected for a particular characteristic, such as sex-type. In preferred embodiments, the frozen sperm sample includes mammalian sperm, such as, for example, human, bovine, equine, porcine, ovine, elk, or bison sperm. The frozen selected sperm sample can be used in a variety of applications. In particular, the sample can be thawed and used for fertilization. Accordingly, the invention also includes a method of using the frozen selected sperm sample for artificial insemination or in vitro fertilization.

This disclosure relates to a system for sorting sperm cells in a microfluidic chip. In particular, various features are incorporated into the system for aligning and orienting sperm in flow channels, as well as, for determining sperm orientation and measuring relative DNA content for analysis and / or sorting.

The present disclosure relates to microfluidic devices adapted for facilitating cytometry analysis of particles flowing therethrough. In certain embodiments, the microfluidic devices allow light collection from multiple directions. In certain other embodiments, the microfluidic devices use spatial intensity modulation. In certain other embodiments, the microfluidic devices have magnetic field separators. In certain other embodiments, the microfluidic devices have the ability to stack. In certain other embodiments, the microfluidic devices have 3-D hydrodynamic focusing to align sperm cells. In certain other embodiments, the microfluidic devices have acoustic energy couplers. In certain other embodiments, the microfluidic devices have phase variation producing lenses. In certain other embodiments, the microfluidic devices have transmissive and reflective lenses. In certain other embodiments, the microfluidic devices have integrally-formed optics. In certain other embodiments, the microfluidic devices have non-integral geographically selective reagent delivery structures. In certain other embodiments, the microfluidic devices have optical waveguides incorporated into their flow channels. In certain other embodiments, the microfluidic devices have optical waveguides with reflective surfaces incorporated into their flow channels. In certain other embodiments, the microfluidic devices have virus detecting and sorting capabilities. In certain other embodiments, the microfluidic devices display a color change to indicate use or a result.

Apparatus for sorting and orienting sperm cells has a pair or walls in confronting relationship forming a flow chamber having inlet, a downstream outlet, and intermediate detector region. The inlet receives first and second spaced apart streams of input fluid and a third stream of sample fluid containing the cells to be sorted. The first and second streams have respective flow rates relative to third stream, such that the third stream is constricted forming a relatively narrow sample stream, so that the cells are oriented parallel to the walls. A detector detect desired cells and a sorter downstream of the detector for sorting the desired cells from the stream.

Improved insemination systems particularly adapted to use for sex-selected sperm sorting include systems which achieve superovulation and then multiple embryo production with sexed embryos. These systems combine with other techniques, including techniques for enhanced sheath fluid and other strategies which minimize stress on the sperm cells, and, potentially, a 2.9 percent sodium citrate sheath solution for bovine species and a hepes bovine gamete media for equine species. Improved collection systems and techniques for the process are described so that commercial application of sperms samples as well as the resulting animals may be achieved.

Disclosed are compositions for mammalian, avian or piscian reproductive cells and methods for the collection, holding, processing, in vitro fertilization, sexing culturing, or storing (including long-term cryopreservation) of mammalian, avian, or piscian reproductive sperm cells. The compositions comprise a suitable reproductive cell media and a transforming growth factor, an insulin-like growth factor, or zinc, and, optionally, inositol, transferrin, or fructose, or combinations thereof.

The inventive technology relates to methods and apparatus for reducing protein content in sperm cell extenders and may include one or more of the following features: techniques for reducing protein content in a sperm cell extender; techniques for reducing protein content in a cryoprotectant-containing B fraction of a sperm cell extender; techniques for preparing sperm cell extenders that do not require clarification; techniques for preparing low density gradient sperm cell extenders suitable for centrifugation; techniques for reducing protein content between individual steps in preparing a sperm cell extender, and techniques for establishing novel values of reduced protein content in sperm cell extenders.

Improved flow cytometer system particularly adapted to use for sex-selected sperm sorting include enhanced sheath fluid and other strategies which minimize stress on the sperm cells, including a 2.9 percent sodium citrate sheath solution for bovine species and a hepes bovine gamete media for equine species. Improved collection systems and techniques for the process are described so that commercial applications of sperms samples as well as the resulting animals may be achieved.

A process for separating a sperm type from a sperm population by electrophoresis comprising subjecting the sperm population to an electric potential such that a sperm type is separated from a sperm population through an ion-permeable barrier.

A method is described for treating a specimen of semen containing sperm cells to increase the relative number of sperm cells of a desired sex type in a treated specimen to increase the potential for conceiving an offspring of the desired sex. A specimen of semen is treated after a predetermined time to increase the relative ability of a at least a portion of the semen to conceive an offspring of the desired sex. The treatment preferably comprises contacting the sperm cells with an agent that preferentially effects sperm cells of a selected sex type. In some preferred embodiments, the semen is separated into two components. A first component has a higher number of sperm of the desired sex type than sperm of a non desired sex type and a second component has a higher number of sperm of the non desired sex type relative to sperm of the desired sex type. In one embodiment, the separating step is performed after a predetermined percent of the sperm cells exhibit a punctate pattern, which is capable of determination by labeling the sperm cells with Koo antibody and determining the percent of cells labeled. In another embodiment, the separating step is performed after waiting for a time determined by locating a maximum in the curve obtained by plotting percent female cells determined by FISH against percent Koo positive cells, determining the time at which the maximum percent female cells occurs, and beginning the following step no earlier than about one hour before the time of the maximum percent female cells. In yet another embodiment, the separating step is performed after waiting for a period of time between about 2 hours and about 24 hours after collection of the ejaculate. Preferably, in the separating step, the sperm is contacted with a cell binding agent, permitting the sperm of the non desired sex type to preferentially bind to the cell binding agent, and the cell binding agent with preferentially bound sperm of the non desired sex type is separated from non bound sperm.

The present invention provides methods for preparing cells with highly condensed chromosomes, such as sperm, and methods for detecting and quantifying specific cellular target molecules in intact cells. Specifically, methods are provided for detecting chromosomes and chromosomal abnormalities, including aneuploidy, in intact cells using fluorescence in situ hybridization of cells in suspension, such as sperm cells.

A sperm cell process system providing to generate sperm cell insemination samples having controlled sperm cell fertility characteristics of sperm cells.

Methods and apparatus are disclosed for processing sperm cells to accomplish preservation for future use while minimizing the adverse effects of such preservation. Sperm cells may be collected from a male animal and subjected to a first preservation step, including potentially a first cryopreservation step. Preserved sperm may then be revived, including potentially by thawing, and treated by any of various processing steps to mitigate the adverse effects of preservation. Treated sperm may then be subjected to a second preservation step, including potentially a second cryopreservation step, perhaps enabling a delayed use of the sperm at a future time.

Pharmaceutical compositions for treating male sub-fertility that include an agent that causes a reduction in an effect of extracellular DNA on sperm cells, are provided. The agent may be, for example, an enzyme that degrades DNA such as DNase, a substance that blocks the interaction between cell free DNA and sperm cell surface receptors, a substance that binds to DNA, a substance that inhibits endogenous sperm cell DNase, a substance that inhibits a member of a signal transduction pathway mediated by DNA binding to sperm cell surface receptors, or an agent that stimulates production of an endogenous substance that causes a reduction in an antifertility effect of cell free DNA on sperm cells. Also provided are methods for treating male sub-fertility by administering the pharmaceutical composition to a subject in need thereof. Further provided are methods for determining a fertility status in a male subject, methods for assisted reproduction, methods for selecting an assisted reproduction technique (ART), and methods for selecting sperm cells in a sperm cell population for use in an assisted reproduction technique.

Disclosed are sperm cells or embryos comprising a labeled oligonucleotide bound to a gender-specific repeat sequence. Methods for separating sperm cells or embryos containing a labeled oligonucleotide from sperm cells not containing the labeled oligonucleotide produce gender-enriched sperm cell fractions. The separated fractions are useful in producing offspring of a predetermined sex.

Methods and compositions for identifying and isolating sperm cells from samples containing multiple cell types are described. The methods and compositions employ antibodies that specifically bind to sperm-specific antigens located on or internal to the sperm plasma membrane. A reporter molecule may be conjugated to the antibodies to aid in the detection of sperm. The antibodies may be targeted to sperm-specific antigens in the head and / or tail of sperm to facilitate the identification and isolation of sperm cells from forensic samples prepared from sexual assault evidence. Purified DNA from the isolated sperm cells can be amplified by polymerase chain reaction to assist forensic analysis in sexual assault cases.

A method for the simultaneous determination of the total concentration of sperm cells and the proportion of live sperm cells in a semen sample is provided. By selective staining of live, dead and / or dying sperm cells, for example using one or more fluorochromes, the detection means can distinguish between live, dead and / or dying sperm cells, for example by detection of the fluorescent response from the sperm cells. The selective staining may be performed at room temperature and in concentrations below standard concentrations. The determination may be performed by selective counting of cells of each fluorescent quality for example by using a flow cytometer having internal concentration standard means. Furthermore, the likelihood of fertilizing a female animal with an insemination dose, taken from a semen sample having a known total concentration of sperm cells and a known proportion of live sperm cells, is predicted on the basis of the thus determined total concentration of sperm cells and the proportion of live sperm cells.

The invention provides a system (1) for performing sperm analysis and selection based on sperm cell morphology of sperm cells (6) in a fluid (5), the system (1) comprising: (i) a fluid flow channel (2) for transport of said fluid (5), the fluid flow channel (2) comprising an inlet (10) an analyzing zone (40) configured downstream from said inlet (10) and comprising a first pair of electrodes (41) comprising a first intra-electrode distance (dl), a sorting zone (50) configured downstream from said analyzing zone (40) and comprising a sorting device (51), and outlets (80, 90, . . . ) configured downstream from said sorting zone (50); (ii) an electric source (140) configured to provide an electric signal to the first pair of electrodes (41); (iii) a measuring device (150) functionally coupled to the first pair of electrodes (41) and configured to measure a first impedance as a function of time of the fluid (5) between the first pair of electrodes, and to provide time-dependent impedance data; wherein the sorting device (51) is configured to sort sperm cells (6) by directing the sperm cell (6) in the sorting zone (50) to one of the outlets (80, 90, . . . ) based on a comparison in a comparison stage of the time dependent impedance data with predefined reference data.

This disclosure relates to a system for sorting sperm cells in a microfluidic chip. In particular, various features are incorporated into the system for aligning and orienting sperm in flow channels, as well as, for determining sperm orientation and measuring relative DNA content for analysis and / or sorting.

The present invention relates to compositions and methods for the handling of processed sperm including samples that are freshly collected, those transported as fresh samples, samples that are frozen and thawed, those sorted into one or more subpopulations, and those that are otherwise processed or handled that impose trauma on the cell. Trauma can reduce the motility, fertility, viability and overall integrity of the sperm and reduce the ability to fertilize, produce an embryo and a healthy offspring. The present invention relates to novel compounds that can be added to the sperm cell sample to reduce the traumatic effects of physical stress during mild as well as extensive sperm cell processing, methods of using the compounds in standard sperm processing procedures, the end products made from these methods including sperm and embryos, as well as methods of using those end products in assisted reproductive biology techniques in animals.

In various aspects, the present invention provides novel and effective methods and kits for the isolation of sperm and sperm DNA from samples having at least one other cell type, or having the DNA of one other cell type. More specifically, a process for isolating sperm DNA from a mixture of sperm and non-sperm cells by filtration is provided. DNA from non-sperm cells is solubilized by selective lysis, and the intact sperm are retained on a filter, washed, and then treated in situ with a reducing agent to solubilize the sperm DNA. Significantly, centrifugation steps are not required, the process can be easily automated, and can be performed on many samples in parallel. The novel methods and kits are based on filtering selectively solubilized samples through filters that retain sperm by virtue of having uniform pore diameters that: are smaller than sperm, large enough to allow passage of cell debris and solubilized DNA; and are stable to pressure. The inventive methods and kits have broad utility, particularly in the forensic art.

This invention relates to devices and methods for purifying, detecting and using biological cells. A variety of cell types including viable tumor, stem, immune and sperm cells can be purified from a complex biological sample using a column, including a pipette tip column. Methods of the invention can aid research, diagnosis and treatment of cancer. Purified viable cells can be detected on the column or eluted from the column and detected. Cells on a column can be used as a stationary phase for liquid chromatography. Cells may be removed, recovered and analyzed.

The present invention relates to cell separation using microfabricated devices. In particular, the present invention provides methods and devices for separation of sperm from biological materials, such as other cells and molecular species, in a cell mixture in a microfabricated device through the use of electroosmotic flow, electrophoretic mobility, pressure gradient, differential adhesion, and / or combinations thereof.