An Australian company released results of a preliminary study evaluating a new device to isolate healthy sperm for IVF cycles. The device, known as the Sperm Sep CS10 uses an electrical field to separate normal sperm from damaged sperm.

During IVF, sperm must be separated from the other fluid and chemicals that are present in the ejaculate. This is most commonly done by mixing the semen with a fluid solution in a test tube and spinning the semen rapidly in a device called a centrifuge. The sperm are driven to the bottom of the test tube where they can be separated easily.

For ICSI, individual sperm are then picked by their appearance under the microscope. These sperm can then be injected into an egg to achieve fertilization.

Recently, there have been some studies which suggested that some sperm may have DNA damage that could lower the sperms potential for producing a viable pregnancy. This data is far from conclusive however. A recent large study looking at sperm with high degrees of DNA damage found no difference in pregnancy rates compared to sperm with low degrees of damage.

Furthermore, the testing that is currently done to determine if sperm have DNA damage, does not allow for use of the sperm to fertilize eggs. The Sperm Sep device works on the principle that sperm with the most negatively charged membranes are likely to have the least DNA damage. By isolating those sperm, it is possible that a "healthier" population of sperm could be obtained. If this is true, it may help improves the chance for successful pregnancies from IVF cycles.

A clinical trial of the Sperm Sep has recently concluded at an Australian fertility center. Sydney. Three out of nine women who had sperm prepared with the Sperm Sep became pregnant and there have been two live births to date. whole these results are far too small to draw any conclusions, it opens the door for further studies.