Magnetic Activated Cell Sorting (MACS) is a sperm selection technique that can be used to improve the overall quality of the seminal sample by separating the damaged sperm (apoptotic) with high proportions of fragmented DNA from the undamaged sperm cells (non-apoptotic). This improvement in sperm quality seems to have a positive effect on Lowering the risks of miscarriage in subsequent pregnancies in men with high levels of DNA fragmentation.
Approximately 20% of sperm in subfertile patients show markers of apoptosis (programmed cell death). In these patients, conventional sperm selection techniques used for IVF, ICSI or IUI are not effective enough to remove the damaged sperm. MACS is a complementary seminal preparation technique, designed to select the best quality sperm to fertilise the egg.
