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The Advanced Technology In Fertility Treatments: Magnetic Activated Cell Sorting

The ability to isolate cells is one of the research of life sciences that is helping in fertility treatments. When couples fail to conceive due to various reasons, doctors suggest different fertility treatments. Some treatments like IVF are common options. However, even before treatments, many couples understand the importance of healthy sperm or eggs. They opt for semen freezing, which helps in pregnancy at a later age. These techniques, in one way or another, provide hope for couples to become parents one day. One such option suggested by doctors is magnetic activated cell sorting sperm. Magnetic activated cell sorting is a technique that is used in ART (Assisted Reproductive Technology). It is used to separate healthy cells and cells with highly damaged DNA fragmentation. Magnetic activated cell sorting is a popular technique that can be game-changing in fertility treatments.

Let's understand in detail what is magnetic activated cell sorting for sperm separation and how it works:

What is Magnetic Activated Cell Sorting?

The advanced technology magnetic activated cell sorting is the process of using very small size biodegradable magnetic particles. These magnetic particles include an antibody that is known as protein annexin. This antibody fastens to sperm with DNA fragmentation that is likely to go through apoptosis or cell death. It is then passed through a column under a weak magnetic field. The healthy sperm cells pass through the channel, while weak ones are drawn towards the wall. Magnetic activated cell sorting sperm, also called MACS. It is used to separate apoptotic sperm with high-fragmentation DNA.

How do MACS Work?

It is also called immunomagnetic cell separation, which binds magnetic particles to cells through an antibody. Weak cells are isolated, and healthy cells are used as biological samples to perform other fertility treatments.

This works in a systematic way; let's break it down for you:

  • Some magnetic beads or particles that are coated with antibodies, such as lectins or enzymes that are related to surface markers or antigens of targeted cell groups in sperm, are added to the sample.
  • The cells with those surface markers are then labeled by magnetic beads.
  • This solution is then passed through a column that has a magnetic field.
  • The targeted cells, which are attached to magnetic beads, move toward the wall due to the magnetic field. These cells are usually weaker, while the non-targeted cells easily pass through the column.
  • The magnetic field is turned off, cells carrying magnetic fields are released, while non-targeted cells are used as biological samples.

However, there are positive and negative approaches used in selection depending on whether desired cells are passed through the process and the remaining unwanted cells are left behind. Positive and negative approaches for the selection of fundamental techniques that are used for cell isolation protocol. Under this technique, the positive approach directly targets desired cells, while the negative approach removes unwanted cells, and targeted cells are untouched.

What are the Effects of Magnetic Activated Cell Sorting?

Magnetic activated cell sorting for sperm separation has positive effects as it helps in removing unhealthy fragmentation of cells from healthy cells in semen samples and increases the success rate of ART (Assisted Reproductive Techniques) by selecting high-quality sperms. So, using this high-quality sample for IVF treatment, imsi ivf, or ICSI, can help in better chances of pregnancy. 

What are the Advantages and Disadvantages of Magnetic Activated Cell Sorting?

Magnetically activated cell sorting has advantages and disadvantages for you. Let's understand:

  • Using this technique for separating ir isolating cells helps in identifying the healthy cells for better chances in pregnancy. The technique discards or releases unwanted cells with high levels of DNA fragmentation. 
  • The magnetic activated cell sorting technique for cell isolation is inexpensive and a lot cheaper for pocket compared to many other advanced treatments. 
  • Depending on the requirements, doctors can scale up or down magnetic activated cell sorting and combine it with other methods to increase the quality or purity of isolated cells. 
  • However, despite these advantages, magnetic activated cell sorting can be disadvantaged as it is laborious. It takes a lot of time for this technique to be performed. It also requires high precision and care while performing this technique. 
  • The magnetically activated cell sorting requires special equipment and multiple samples. Not all fertility clinics can provide you with this technique. 
  • Magnetic beads used for isolation can damage cells; some cells are delicate, and the effect of the magnetic field can damage these cells.

Who is Suggested for the Magnetic Activated Cell Sorting Technique?

The doctors do not suggest magnetic activated cell sorting for sperm separation techniques to all patients, even though they can be used for all. This technique is majorly suggested for:

  • Those patients who are to be treated with the artificial insemination process.
  • Those couples or patients who faced multiple miscarriages without any identified cause. 
  • Those patients who had at least one previous treatment cycle or patients with poor embryo quality which cannot be attributed to oocytes.
  • Infertile patients who have high-level DNA fragmentation in their spermatozoa.

Is Magnetic Activated Cell Sorting Safe?

The magnetic activated cell sorting sperm technique is one popular technique for cell isolation. It’s used to increase the chances of pregnancy with IVF or without IVF treatment. Usually, this technique is safe for the process. There might be delicate cells that can get damaged due to magnetic fields and magnetic beads used in the process. So, the process requires precision and care, but that does not guarantee high accuracy. In addition to magnetically activated cell sorting, there are treatments with IVF like microfluidics in ivf, laser assisted hatching, and more.

Bloom IVF For Latest Fertility Techniques

Bloom IVF is one of the best fertility clinics in India, offering the latest techniques and treatments. Couples who are facing infertility issues have problems conceiving, or those who have reproductive organ problems can visit a clinic. We have experienced fertility experts and the latest equipment for diagnosis and treatments. These treatments include sperm retrieval, blastocyst culture, and more.

Our staff conducts assessments on our patients to know about their issues and the exact reason for problems. We suggest high-accuracy treatments based on assessment to help you. Our team will support you throughout the diagnosis and treatment. We have diagnosis and treatment options like micro tese and GCSF, which use the latest technology and advanced treatments. So, you can visit Bloom IVF for your fertility issues.

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Common Questions

If you could not find an answer to your query, please contact us.

Magnetic Activated Cell Sorting (MACS) is a non-destructive technique for cell isolation that helps in separating different cell populations. Using this technique, healthy sperm cells and cells with high levels of DNA fragmentation are separated.
The MACS test for sperm is an immunomagnetic technique used for cell separation that allows the selection of spermatozoa that do not have or show signs of cell damage or death. These cells maintain the DNA intact and do not have any fragmentation.
PICSI is the manipulation of individual sperm cells that may lead to damage to some sperm cells. MACS is a mechanized separation technique to select sperm cells that are healthy and have their DNA intact.
The process is safe, but delicate sperm cells can be damaged due to magnetic fields, or they might affect their viability.
Yes! The MACS used for separating healthy sperm cells can be used for IVF or IUI treatment to increase the chances of pregnancy. It helps in selecting high quality cells that positively affect the conceiving chances.
Magnetic-activated cell sorting can be used for all, but it is mainly suggested in patients with infertility, high levels of DNA fragmentation, or those who have been through miscarriages. You can consult your fertility experts to learn more details.