Scientists at the University of Edinburgh, UK, have developed a technique using Raman spectroscopy to test the quality of sperm before it is used for in vitro fertilisation (IVF) and increase the chances of conception. Dr Alastair Elfick, lead scientist on the project, explained: “in natural conception the fittest and healthiest sperm are positively selected by the arduous journey they make to the egg. What our technology does is to replace natural selection with a DNA-based ‘quality score’.” This can then be used to decide whether the sperm is healthy enough to be used to fertilise an egg as part of the IVF treatment.

The sperm are captured in two highly focussed beams of laser light, optical tweezers, and then the DNA of an individual sperm can be analysed from its Raman spectrum. The research is currently in a pre-clinical phase, and if successful could be available to patients in the next five to ten years.

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