Microfluidic Chip vs Density Gradient Centrifugation on the Euploidy Rate of Pre-implantation Genetic Testing

Overview

Infertile women attending for PGT at the Centre of Assisted Reproduction and Embryology, Queen Mary Hospital and Kwong Wah Hospital will be recruited during ovarian stimulation for IVF. Subsequently, they will be randomly assigned on the day of oocyte retrieval by a laboratory staff into one of the following two groups in a 1:1 ratio : (1) the microfluidic chip group and (2) the density gradient centrifugation group for sperm preparation and subsequent use in fertilization. Other IVF procedures will be the same as the standard practice of the Centre. Both women and clinicians will be blinded from the group allocation i.e. a double blind study.

The study aims to investigate the treatment of couples undergoing in vitro fertilization (IVF). Eligible couples will be recruited for the study after providing informed written consent following counseling. The IVF protocol involves various steps. Women will undergo preimplantation genetic testing (PGT) as clinically indicated. Ovarian stimulation will be carried out using gonadotropin injections, and regular ultrasound monitoring will be conducted to track the growth of follicles. To prevent a premature LH surge, progestin primed ovarian stimulation or a GnRH antagonist will be administered. Once at least three follicles reach a size of over 17 mm, a trigger injection of either human chorionic gonadotrophin or a GnRH agonist will be given to induce final maturation. Oocyte retrieval will be performed 36 hours after the trigger under transvaginal ultrasound guidance. The recruited women will be randomly assigned to one of two groups: the microfluidic chip group or the density gradient centrifugation group. Randomization and blinding will be ensured to maintain the integrity of the study. Only the laboratory staff involved in sperm preparation will be aware of the group assignment, while the women and clinicians will be blinded to the treatment groups. Semen specimens will be collected by masturbation on the day of oocyte retrieval, following a period of 2-7 days of sexual abstinence. The semen samples will undergo evaluation according to WHO guidelines, including semen volume, sperm concentration, and percent motile spermatozoa. Sperm DNA damage will be assessed using an alkaline single-cell gel electrophoresis (Comet) assay. The extent of DNA damage in spermatozoa will be examined using specific parameters. Sperm preparation will be performed based on the randomization list. In the microfluidic chip group, the Sperm Separation Device will be used, and the prepared sample will be collected in a test tube. In the density gradient centrifugation group, sperm preparation will be completed using a discontinuous density gradient centrifugation method, and the resulting sperm pellet will be washed and resuspended. Oocytes will be fertilized through intracytoplasmic sperm injection, and normal fertilization will be confirmed by the presence of two pronuclei. A few cells will be taken from the blastocysts for comprehensive chromosome analysis. Cryopreservation of all blastocysts will be done, and only euploid blastocysts without aneuploidies will be replaced in subsequent frozen embryo transfer cycles. Frozen embryo transfer (FET) will be performed in subsequent natural or hormonal replacement cycles, depending on the women's menstrual cycle regularity. Pregnancy outcomes will be monitored through urine pregnancy tests and transvaginal ultrasounds. If the pregnancy test is positive, further ultrasounds will be done to confirm fetal viability and the number of fetuses. Pregnancy and delivery data will be retrieved after delivery, and information on pregnancy outcomes, number of babies born, birth weights, and obstetric complications will be recorded. The study aims to assess the effectiveness of the two different sperm preparation methods and their impact on IVF outcomes, including pregnancy rates and obstetric complications.