Gynecology & Obstetrics
Open Access
ISSN: 2161-0932
ISSN: 2161-0932
Waseem Asghar
Florida Atlantic University, USA
Scientific Tracks Abstracts: Gynecol Obstet
In modern reproductive medicine, infertile couples are treated with assisted reproductive technologies (ARTs) that utilize sperm sorting methods to isolate healthy sperm. Current sperm processing methods such as swim-up and density gradient centrifugation involve multiple centrifugal steps that cause damage to the sperm cells in terms of morphology and excessive reactive oxygen species generation that can lead to DNA fragmentation. New ways that mimic the natural guidance mechanisms present in the female genital tract may offer ways to sort sperm with better functional parameters. Human sperm exhibit positive rheotaxis by orienting and swimming against the fluid released in female genital tract. We have developed a microfluidic device to quantitatively investigate the sperm response to various flow conditions at physiological conditions. At certain flow rates sperm can actively orient and swim against the flow. Sperm showing rheotaxis exhibit better motility and velocity parameters than no-flow control and original semen sample.
Waseem Asghar is an Assistant Professor at College of Engineering and Computer Science at Florida Atlantic University. He received his PhD in Spring 2012 from University of Texas. He held a Post-doctoral appointment at Harvard Medical School (July 2012-April 2014). His research focuses on development of microfluidic platforms, advanced reproductive technologies and infectious disease diagnostics. He has published over 50 journals and conference papers. He is recipient of various international and national awards including “2018 Distinguished STEM Educator Award from the Engineers’ Council”, and “Humanity in Science Award 2016”.
Email:wasghar@fau.edu