Functional parameters of spermatozoa obtained by a new selection device.

The success of assisted reproduction techniques (ARTs) is based on the selection of gametes with optimal characteristics. This is critical for male gametes, since among the large number of cells present in semen, many may have unnoticeable DNA damage and compromised membrane integrity, among other alterations. In this work, we examined the use of the LensHooke CA0™ device (CA0 chamber) as a promising sperm separation method for ARTs, analyzing both normozoospermic and teratozoospermic samples. Additionally, we compared fertilization rates with IVF and ICSI procedures using Teratozoospermic samples. As reference for comparison, we used the current standard for sperm selection, density gradient centrifugation. Using CA0 chambers and DGC, we obtained comparable sperm recovery numbers, membrane potential (in Normozoospermic samples) and motility parameters. The progesterone-induced intracellular Ca(2+) increase was only slightly greater in sperm selected with DGC compared to CA0 chambers. Finally, no differences were observed in IVF and ICSI fertilization rates between Tz sperm separated with DGC and CA0 chambers. Overall, we conclude that the quantity and quality of sperm selected with CA0 chambers is comparable to that obtained with DGC, without compromising reproducibility. Importantly, CA0 chambers offer key practical and methodological advantages, resulting in a faster, simpler and more affordable sperm selection method.