Zymot Sperm Sorting Innovative Method for Selecting Healthy Sperm

What is Zymot Sperm Sorting?

Zymot Sperm Sorting is an advanced microfluidic technology used in the IVF laboratory to select the healthiest and most motile sperm cells. It is a small microdevice – commonly referred to as a “chip” – that is used during the preparation of the sperm sample before in vitro fertilization (IVF/ICSI).

The Zymot system works by taking advantage of the natural ability of sperm cells to actively swim through a semi-permeable membrane, which filters and selects the highest-quality sperm. This process mimics the natural selection that occurs within the female reproductive tract during fertilization. The technology focuses on sperm motility, a key factor for successful fertilization, and allows sperm selection without the need for centrifugation, helping preserve sperm integrity during laboratory preparation.

How the Zymot Microfluidic Device Works

Mimicking the natural journey of sperm toward the egg

The Zymot technology is based on an innovative microfluidic approach that simulates the natural environment of the female reproductive system. During the procedure, the sperm sample is placed in a specialized device – the Zymot chip – which contains a microchannel labyrinth that functions as a selection filter.

Within this system, sperm cells are required to navigate through this “pathway,” similar to the route they naturally follow during conception. Only the healthiest sperm with the best motility are able to successfully pass through the microchannels, while less functional sperm cells are effectively excluded.

Zymot-sorted sperm surrounding an egg, symbolizing IVF success at Fertulity.

Simple, safe, and targeted selection of quality sperm

The Zymot procedure is simple, non-invasive, and sperm-friendly, with no need for centrifugation or chemical processing. This minimizes mechanical and oxidative risks that may compromise genetic integrity. The result is the natural selection of the best fertilization candidates, which are then used in assisted reproduction treatments like IVF and ICSI. Thanks to its high precision and effectiveness, Zymot helps improve success rates and embryo quality.

Lab technician performs Zymot sperm sorting in Greece to enhance IVF success through healthier sperm selection.

The Process in Our Laboratory Step-by-Step

Step 1Sample collection

The process begins with the collection of the semen sample from the male partner in a specially designed room at the clinic, following strict hygiene and timing guidelines for sample handling. The quality of the sample plays a crucial role in the success of the processing. For this reason, the sample is immediately analyzed in the laboratory to evaluate sperm concentration, motility, and morphology. If the sample meets the required criteria, the process then proceeds to the application of the Zymot technology.

Step 2Chip loading

Once the sample is deemed suitable, it is carefully loaded into the Zymot device, also known as the chip. The chip contains a microfluidic maze that mimics the natural obstacles sperm encounter on their way to the egg. The sample is loaded with precision and without centrifugation or other invasive techniques. It is placed on a heated lab plate to ensure stable temperature and preserve cell viability throughout the procedure

Step 3 30-minute incubation without centrifugation

The sample is left to incubate inside the chip for about 20-30 minutes, without any mechanical stress. During this phase, only the healthiest and most motile sperm are able to pass through the microfluidic system, reaching the desired final collection area.This gentle and natural selection method replaces traditional artificial interventions, protecting the cells from DNA fragmentation and oxidative stress. Inactivity during this step is intentional, allowing cells to move freely and spontaneously.

Step 4 Collection of selected sperm fraction

After the incubation process is completed, the laboratory specialists collect the fraction of sperm cells that successfully passed through the device. These cells exhibit superior quality characteristics and are used directly for the fertilization procedure (IVF/ICSI). The collection is performed with precision and care to ensure that the structure and functionality of the sperm cells remain intact. The final result is a clean, high-quality filtered sample, ready to increase the chances of successful fertilization and contribute to the creation of viable embryos.

Key Benefits for the Couple & the Embryo

Improved Motility & Higher Sperm Quality

The Zymot technology allows the selection of sperm with higher motility and improved quality, characterized by lower DNA fragmentation and reduced oxidative stress, factors that are critical for successful fertilization and the development of high-quality embryos.

The microfluidic process naturally filters sperm cells that demonstrate active progressive motility, without the need for external interventions such as centrifugation. As a result, sperm with greater biological integrity are selected, increasing the chances of successful penetration of the egg and the formation of a healthy embryo. For couples facing male infertility factors, the ability to select higher-quality sperm through Zymot can play a decisive role in the success of fertility treatment.

Higher clinical pregnancy rates

The use of higher-quality sperm, such as those selected through the Zymot chip, has been associated with improved implantation success rates and better clinical pregnancy outcomes. By selecting sperm with lower levels of DNA fragmentation and improved functional capacity, the overall quality of the genetic material used in fertilization is enhanced.

This improvement in sperm quality may support more stable embryo development and increase the chances of achieving a healthy and successful pregnancy. For couples seeking the best possible outcome from in vitro fertilization, Zymot represents an important and scientifically supported option.

Fewer time-consuming lab steps

Zymot is a simple, fast, and automated process that reduces the number of time-consuming sperm processing stages in the lab.Unlike traditional methods involving multiple centrifugation and manual steps, Zymot enables natural sperm selection in a single step — in about 30 minutes.This saves time for the scientific team and minimizes interventions in the genetic material, reducing the risk of damage or error.Simplifying the process enhances result consistency and improves the couple’s overall experience during treatment.

Could Zymot Be Suitable for Me?

The use of the Zymot sperm sorting technique requires specific qualitative characteristics in the semen sample. If the sample shows very low motility or an insufficient number of sperm cells, the use of Zymot may not be recommended, and the conventional sperm preparation method for intracytoplasmic sperm injection (ICSI) is preferred. The proper evaluation of the sperm sample is always carried out on the day of the treatment by a specialized embryologist, in order to ensure the suitability and safety of the procedure.

When and How Is the Final Evaluation for Zymot Performed?

If the use of Zymot technology has been considered for a couple, the final decision is made on the day of the ICSI procedure. The embryologist examines the semen sample in real time and evaluates whether the requirements for the application of the device are met.

If the sample is not suitable and the process cannot proceed using Zymot, the clinic applies the conventional sperm preparation method without additional cost to the couple.

Is Zymot Effective?

Zymot is an innovative sperm selection technology that has attracted significant interest from scientific and clinical teams in recent years. Although it is a relatively new method, early published studies between 2017 and 2020 have shown encouraging results.

Specifically, sperm selected using the Zymot device demonstrate clearly improved quality characteristics compared with traditional preparation methods, including higher overall motility and significantly reduced DNA fragmentation levels. Although the total number of sperm collected may be lower, their overall quality appears to be superior, which strengthens the potential role of this technique in assisted reproduction.

From a clinical outcomes perspective, some studies report an increased likelihood of achieving clinical pregnancy when Zymot is used for sperm preparation prior to ICSI, compared with conventional methods.

Despite these encouraging findings, it should be noted that the number of available studies is still limited and includes heterogeneous data, with certain limitations regarding statistical reliability. At our clinic, the scientific team has extensive experience in the use of Zymot, and we have recorded successful fertilizations, healthy embryos, and confirmed pregnancies. The decision to use this technique is always based on the evaluation of the sperm sample on the day of treatment, ensuring that it is applied only when truly indicated.

Frequently Asked Questions About Zymot Sperm Sorting

How Long Does the Zymot Procedure Take?

The application of the Zymot sperm sorting method is fast and efficient. Overall, the process from loading the semen sample into the microfluidic chip to collecting the selected sperm fraction takes approximately 30–40 minutes.

This timeframe includes the incubation phase, which takes place without invasive techniques such as centrifugation, as well as the careful handling of the sample by the laboratory staff. The speed of the method allows the ICSI procedure to proceed immediately without delays, maintaining stable conditions and preserving the viability of the sperm cells.

Can Zymot Be Used in Natural or Conventional IVF Cycles?

Zymot is most commonly used in cycles involving intracytoplasmic sperm injection (ICSI), where the selection of the best-quality sperm is essential for injection into the egg.

However, the technique may also be applied in IVF cycles with otherwise normal semen parameters (count, concentration, motility, and morphology) when high DNA fragmentation or elevated oxidative stress is present.

The final decision is always made by the clinical and embryology team, in consultation with the lead embryologist, based on the characteristics of the semen sample and the type of fertility treatment selected.

Is Zymot Suitable for Sperm Donors or Frozen Samples?

Zymot can be used with donor sperm or frozen/thawed samples under specific conditions.The key requirement is a sufficient number of progressively motile sperm in the post-thaw sample.If the frozen sample is of high quality, Zymot can further enhance the selection of optimal cells, improving final treatment outcomes.Its use in donors is also a strategic option, especially when maximum safety and quality are desired.

Is Zymot Used in Cases of Unexplained Infertility?

Unexplained infertility can often present a challenge when selecting the most appropriate treatment strategy. Zymot may be used as a supportive tool in such cases, as it enables the selection of sperm with optimal functional characteristics, even when semen analysis parameters appear normal.

Through the natural selection of sperm cells with lower DNA fragmentation, the Zymot device may help increase the chances of successful fertilization in cases where no clear cause of infertility has been identified. The use of the method is always evaluated on an individual basis by the medical and embryology team.

Our Doctors

In an era where fertility requires knowledge, care, and substantial guidance, FertUlity is not an impersonal clinic. It is two people who look you in the eye and accompany you step by step on the journey you dream of.

Dr. Maria Oikonomou Obstetrician – Gynecologist

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Dr. Chrysostomos (Makis) Papadopoulos Obstetrician – Gynecologist, MD, PhDc, MIC I

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