Improving Sperm Motility and Biosafety: A Novel Device for Density Gradient Separation

Improving Sperm Motility and Biosafety: A Novel Device for Density Gradient Separation | Research Square window.SnipcartSettings = { analytics: { enabled: false } }; (function() { var accessVector = localStorage.getItem('access_vector') || ''; window.dataLayer = window.dataLayer || []; if (accessVector) { window.dataLayer.push({ user: { profile: { profileInfo: { snid: accessVector } } } }); } })(); (function(w,d,s,l,i){w[l]=w[l]||[];w[l].push({'gtm.start':new Date().getTime(),event:'gtm.js'});var f=d.getElementsByTagName(s)[0],j=d.createElement(s),dl=l!='dataLayer'?'&l='+l:'';j.async=true;j.src='https://www.googletagmanager.com/gtm.js?id='+i+dl;f.parentNode.insertBefore(j,f);})(window,document,'script','dataLayer','GTM-K279D39R'); Browse Preprints In Review Journals COVID-19 Preprints AJE Video Bytes Research Tools Research Promotion AJE Professional Editing AJE Rubriq About Preprint Platform In Review Editorial Policies Our Team Advisory Board Help Center Sign In Submit a Preprint Cite Share Download PDF Method Article Improving Sperm Motility and Biosafety: A Novel Device for Density Gradient Separation Felix Roth, Felix Häberlin This is a preprint; it has not been peer reviewed by a journal. https://doi.org/ 10.21203/rs.3.rs-7333250/v2 This work is licensed under a CC BY 4.0 License Status: Posted Version 2 posted You are reading this latest preprint version Show more versions Abstract Objective: To evaluate the technical performance of a novel sperm preparation device (Reprostar) designed to improve motility recovery and minimize biological contamination during density gradient centrifugation. Design: Retrospective non-randomized cohort study. Patients: A total of 13,416 semen samples processed for intrauterine insemination (IUI). Interventions: Comparison of a conventional density gradient (DG) method with the Reprostar system (RS), a purpose-designed device featuring an integrated insert for precise gradient layering, sealed centrifugation, and direct pellet retrieval without exposure to contaminants. Main Outcome Measures: Post-/pre-treatment sperm motility ratio, sperm concentration, and age distribution of female partners. Results: Compared to the conventional DG method, the Reprostar system demonstrated significantly greater motility recovery (1.60 vs. 1.48; p < 0.001), despite being used in a cohort with slightly lower baseline sperm concentrations and higher average age of female partners. Additionally, it minimized carryover of seminal plasma and potential pathogens through enhanced separation efficiency and a closed handling system. These advantages indicate improved biosafety and procedural reliability under routine clinical conditions. Conclusions: This novel preparation system improves sperm recovery while reducing biological risk during semen processing for IUI. Combining superior technical performance with operational simplicity, it offers strong clinical value—particularly in high-throughput or resource-limited settings aiming to enhance IUI outcomes without resorting to invasive ART procedures. Obstetrics & Gynecology Assisted reproduction Density gradient centrifugation Intrauterine insemination (IUI) Reprostar Semen analysis Sperm preparation Full Text Additional Declarations The authors declare potential competing interests as follows: Felix Roth is involved in the global commercial distribution of the REPROSTAR device described in this manuscript. Cite Share Download PDF Status: Posted Version 2 posted You are reading this latest preprint version Show more versions Research Square lets you share your work early, gain feedback from the community, and start making changes to your manuscript prior to peer review in a journal. As a division of Research Square Company, we’re committed to making research communication faster, fairer, and more useful. We do this by developing innovative software and high quality services for the global research community. Our growing team is made up of researchers and industry professionals working together to solve the most critical problems facing scientific publishing. Also discoverable on Platform About Our Team In Review Editorial Policies Advisory Board Help Center Resources Author Services Accessibility API Access RSS feed Manage Cookie Preferences © Research Square 2026 | ISSN 2693-5015 (online) Privacy Policy Terms of Service Do Not Sell My Personal Information {"props":{"pageProps":{"initialData":{"identity":"rs-7333250","acceptedTermsAndConditions":true,"allowDirectSubmit":true,"archivedVersions":[],"articleType":"Method Article","associatedPublications":[],"authors":[{"id":501500154,"identity":"2a1776e0-9d8c-41c3-8855-907e7e435245","order_by":0,"name":"Felix 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Measures: Post-/pre-treatment sperm motility ratio, sperm concentration, and age distribution of female partners.\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eResults: Compared to the conventional DG method, the Reprostar system demonstrated significantly greater motility recovery (1.60 vs. 1.48; p \u0026lt; 0.001), despite being used in a cohort with slightly lower baseline sperm concentrations and higher average age of female partners. 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