The field of assisted reproductive technology (ART) is experiencing rapid advancements, benefiting both human and animal fertility. In this evolving landscape, we at Memphasys are driving innovation with our specialised products, such as the Felix™ System for sperm selection in ART and our Memphasys Animal Breeding Solutions (MABS) for semen transport and storage in animal reproduction. As technologies such as cryopreservation continue to progress, we remain at the forefront, offering solutions designed to improve fertility outcomes and meet the demands of the reproductive health market.
Optimising Sperm Selection with the Felix™ System
Sperm quality is a crucial factor in ART and improving sperm selection can significantly enhance fertility outcomes. Our Felix™ system is designed specifically for sperm selection in human ART procedures. By combining electrophoresis with size exclusion membranes, the device separates healthy, motile sperm from raw semen while removing cellular contaminants, such as leukocytes. This optimised selection process ensures that only the highest-quality sperm are used for fertilisation, ultimately improving success rates in IVF treatments.
Overcoming Cryopreservation Challenges in Animal Reproduction
Cryopreservation remains one of the greatest challenges in ART, especially regarding the preservation of sperm quality and viability post-thaw. While freezing sperm is a powerful tool for long-term storage, it can also cause significant damage to the sperm cells due to the generation of reactive oxygen species (ROS) during the freezing and thawing process.
Our recent collaboration with researchers from the University of Newcastle has yielded a significant breakthrough in this area. Together, we developed a novel cryoprotectant medium enriched with vitamin C, which has shown remarkable success in mitigating the oxidative stress associated with cryopreservation. This antioxidant-based intervention was found to improve sperm vitality, DNA integrity, and overall post-thaw function. The research, published in the journal Antioxidants, demonstrated that the use of vitamin C in our new cryoprotectant medium outperforms current commercial options.
The development of this medium is a major step forward in reproductive biotechnology, offering new hope for breeders and individuals looking to preserve fertility. The RoXsta™ system, our cutting-edge technology used to assess oxidative damage and antioxidant levels in semen, played a critical role in determining the optimal dosage of vitamin C and identifying it as the preferred antioxidant for sperm preservation.
The Role of Memphasys Animal Breeding Solutions (MABS)
In addition to sperm selection and cryopreservation advancements, we are also improving semen storage and transport for animal reproduction through our Memphasys Animal Breeding Solutions (MABS). Traditionally, cryopreservation was the go-to method for transporting semen, but it posed the risk of damaging sperm cells during freezing. With MABS, we’ve developed a system that allows semen to be transported at ambient temperature for several days , bypassing the damage caused by freezing. This innovation has the potential not only to boost artificial insemination success rates, but also enables breeders to use fewer sperm per insemination, increasing efficiency in animal breeding practices.
Context from Recent Research
Our work in these areas is aligned with recent advancements discussed at the 37th Annual Meeting of the Brazilian Embryo Technology Society (SBTE). The conference highlighted new technologies and challenges in ART, including innovations in gamete collection, semen and embryo cryopreservation, and the application of antioxidant-based treatments. The growing use of these technologies in cattle breeding shows how ART is reducing generation intervals and enhancing genetic progress. These advancements underscore the importance of selecting the best quality semen and embryos for transfer, with cryopreservation continuing to play a pivotal role in the distribution of genetics. These advancements are particularly relevant to our work at Memphasys, as we continue to focus on innovations in cryopreservation for both human and animal reproduction.
Conclusion
At Memphasys, we are dedicated to advancing reproductive biotechnology with specialised products like the Felix™ system for human ART, RoXstaTM and Memphasys Animal Breeding Solutions (MABS) for animal reproduction. By addressing key challenges in sperm quality, cryopreservation, and reproductive efficiency, we are contributing to the future of fertility treatments. As breakthroughs in cryopreservation and reproductive health continue to emerge, we remain committed to delivering innovative solutions that improve outcomes for both humans and animals.
Through our continued research and partnerships, including the development of our novel cryoprotectant medium, we are well-positioned to lead in the evolving landscape of assisted reproductive technology.