About this Abstract |
| Meeting |
2026 TMS Annual Meeting & Exhibition
|
| Symposium
|
Biological Materials Science
|
| Presentation Title |
Investigation of the Impact of Polymeric Lab Materials on Sperm Cell Viability via a Novel Microfluidic Swim-Up Bioassay |
| Author(s) |
Jeffrey S. Bates |
| On-Site Speaker (Planned) |
Jeffrey S. Bates |
| Abstract Scope |
The pervasive use of polymeric laboratory consumables in assisted reproductive technologies (ART) introduces a largely unexamined variable into fertility outcomes: the interaction between synthetic materials and gamete function. This work interrogates the impact of plastic-derived contaminants on sperm motility using a custom-engineered microfluidic racetrack that emulates the directional, rheotactic environment of the female reproductive tract. By stratifying motile subpopulations across microchannel segments, the device enables nuanced detection of motility impairments following exposure to common plastics—centrifuge tubes, specimen cups, and syringes. Results reveal a pronounced decline in progressive motility and directional swim capability in plastic-exposed samples, implicating both chemical leachates and surface interactions as disruptors of sperm function. These findings highlight the urgent need to re-evaluate material standards in ART and underscore the utility of biomimetic microfluidic systems for probing subtle structure-property relationships at the interface of synthetic materials and reproductive biology. |
| Proceedings Inclusion? |
Planned: |
| Keywords |
Biomaterials, Environmental Effects, Polymers |