Washington University in St. Louis BME 401 Group 37 Class of 2017 Lizzy Crist | Isabel Izek | Nicole Wong
Project Scope
This computer algorithm characterizes sperm motility by analyzing amplitude and frequency data from a video of 5-10 sperm cell flagella per image frame captured at 63X across a minimum of 20 trials.
Project Overview
Hyperactivation is essential for fertilization of an egg, yet presently there is no sufficiently accurate and efficient method of identifying hyperactivated sperm in a sample. Current methods rely either on quantification of head movement (a less accurate indicator of hyperactivation than flagellum movement) or visual observation (inefficient, as one is limited to a single sperm cell at a time). This project aims to produce a computer program that quantifies the flagellum movement of multiple sperm cells simultaneously, in order to determine the percent of hyperactivation in a sample. Markers of hyperactivation will include asymmetrical flagellum movement, low beat frequency, and others. The code of this program will be delivered by the end of April 2017.
Background
In vitro fertilization (IVF) is the process of combining an egg and sperm in laboratory before transferring the embryo to the uterus. IVF is recommended for those with male factor infertility, a condition that makes up 40 - 50 percent of all infertility (Wiser et al, 2012). Male factor infertility is often characterized by poor sperm motility, or the failure of sperm to traverse the uterine environment and penetrate the egg. As such, significant research has focused on developing sperm motility assessments, in the hopes of optimizing the sample delivered to the egg.
Clinical Need
Current sperm motility assessments, which analyze parameters linked to hyperactivation, result in 40 percent of the samples approved for IVF to fail during egg fertilization (need paper). The consequences of a failed IVF procedure can be devastating to a patient. IVF is most commonly prescribed after all other treatment options have been explored, and thus its failure to many indicates an impossibility of children, a distressing realization. Additionally, IVF is very expensive, averaging $12,000 - $18,000 per cycle (Connolly and Chambers, 2010). Although the success rate of IVF increases with attempt number, few patients struggling with infertility can afford more than one trial. Therefore a need exists to develop a more accurate sperm motility assessment, in order to improve the success rate of IVF and thus mitigate the emotional turmoil and financial strain associated with failed attempts.