MACS (Magnetic Activated Cell Sorting)

Seminal quality is a crucial factor when it comes to achieving a pregnancy since it affects both fertilization and subsequent embryo quality. There are different factors that affect semen quality and one of them is the presence of apoptotic (cell damage or death) sperm. These damaged sperm can be removed from the sample using this technique because their membranes contain markers that can be detected, thus obtaining a fraction that is free of them and, therefore, better quality.

What is Magnetic Activated Cell Sorting (MACS) ?

It is an immunomagnetic technique allowing the selection of those spermatozoa that do not show signs of cell damage or death (called apoptosis), and therefore maintain their entire DNA intact. This technique is aimed to be used in IUI treatments, as well as in IVF or IVF-ICSI cycles.

In what cases MACS is indicated?

This technique can be used with any kind of patient, but is mainly used with:

Patients going through an artificial insemination treatment.

Patients who have a high level of DNA fragmentation in their sperm sample.

Patients who have had repeated miscarriages with an unidentified cause.

Patients who have had at least one previous treatment cycle or who have poor embryo quality which is not attributable to the eggs.

What Are The Advantage Of MACS?

MACS greatly increases the chance of:

How does MACS work?

Before the separation, damaged apoptotic sperm is labelled with magnetic nanoparticles, and then they are put through a column, where the apoptotic sperm is captured.

Intact live sperm flow through the column and are collected for any fertilization technique in assisted reproduction.

Who can benefit from MACS?

Recent literature showing advantages of MACS

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