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Gelatin Microcartridges for Onboard Activation and Antioxidant Protection of Sperm
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posted on 2020-02-23, 18:03 authored by Clara Ridzewski, Mingtong Li, Bin Dong, Veronika MagdanzSperm-driven micromotors
are promising devices for developing autonomous, noninvasive diagnostic
and therapeutic tools, specifically in reproductive biology and medicine.
In this article, we present template-based microstructures fabricated
from gelatin for sperm capture, activation, and antioxidant protection.
The cartridge-like structures with one closed end-capture single bovine
sperm cells and are propelled by the sperm’s flagellum. We
demonstrate the pH-dependent release of heparin from the gelatin microcartridges
to induce capacitation, a crucial maturation process prior to fertilization.
Further, the gelatin cartridges exhibit a protection against oxidative
stress, one of the main causes for sperm damage. Finally, we investigate
the stability and degradability of the microstructures in various
physiological environments, such as endometrial cell culture, different
pH, and in the presence of proteases. Overall, we prove that these
gelatin spermbots display great potential for the development of noninvasive
theranostic tools in reproductive biology and medicine for the protection
and activation of sperm, especially useful for studying sperm migration.
We present their beneficial features which comprise not only biocompatibility
and biodegradability but also pH response, loading stability, and
antioxidant protection.