Evaluation of apoptotic sperm sorting
Research type
Research Study
Full title
Diagnostic lab based evaluation of a "MACS" Magnetic Activated Cell Sorting system for removing apoptotic sperm from a prepared population.
IRAS ID
182077
Contact name
Stephen Harbottle
Contact email
Sponsor organisation
Cambridge University Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust
Duration of Study in the UK
0 years, 5 months, 29 days
Research summary
The study will use semen samples from patients attending the laboratory for diagnostic semen analysis to evaluate a potential new method of selecting the 'best' sperm in fertility treatment. This technique is based around using an antibody to recognise a protein on the surface of 'poor' sperm which is associated with dying cells. This antibody is then used to remove all the 'poor' sperm by association with magnetic beads - whilst sperm which are 'good' are not recognised and Pass straight through the system. These harvested 'good' sperm will be compared to those obtained by conventional sperm selection techniques by a number of assays, but they will never be used for treatment.
REC name
Yorkshire & The Humber - Sheffield Research Ethics Committee
REC reference
15/YH/0344
Date of REC Opinion
17 Jul 2015
REC opinion
Favourable Opinion