Flow cytometer for analysis of general diagnostic factors in cells and body fluids

A semi-automated system for assessing diagnostic factors, comprising;

• (a) at least one cell and body fluid sample;
• (b) a kit for determining at least one diagnostic factor, said kit being used to perform a diagnostic test, said kit including at least one reagent, such that said reagent is able to react with at least one cell and body fluid sample to form a reaction product;
• and
• (c) a flow cytometer, such that said flow cytometer is able to analyse said reaction product to determine said diagnostic factor.

A method for detecting sperm-binding antibodies in cervical mucus of the female partner comprising the steps of:

• (a) washing semen sample of the male partner in a solution of low pH to remove specific and non specific antibodies;
• (b) incubating the semen sample of the male partner in a solution to block non specific binding sites in the semen sample;
• (c) incubating treated semen sample of the male partner with cervical mucus of the female partner;
• (d) incubating mixture of said treated semen sample of the male partner and cervical mucus of the female partner with anti human antibodies bound to fluorescent dye;
• and
• (e) detecting results in flow cytometer.

A method for predicting success of IVF and IUI treatment, comprising the steps of:

• (a) washing and capacitation of sperm sample;
• (b) incubating said sperm sample with fluorescently labeled beads coated with peptides of the oocyte- membrane;
• (c) washing said sperm cells;
• and
• (d) detecting sperm cells bound to oocyte membrane peptide to predict success of IVF and IUI treatment.

A method of collecting motile sperm cells from a sample of sperm, comprising the steps of:

• (a) providing a device for measuring sperm motility in a sample of sperm, said device including;
• (i) a sample compartment;
• (ii) at least one channel;
• and
• (iii) a barrier separating said sample compartment from said at least one channel, such that said sperm must cross over said barrier from said sample compartment to reach said channel;
• (b) filling said channels of said device with a viscous solution;
• (c) putting said sample in said sample compartment of said device;
• and
• (d) collecting motile sperm cells from said channels of said device.

A method of removal of sperm bound antibodies from semen comprising the steps of:

• (a) forming a cell pellet by centrifugation of the semen;
• (b) adding an acidic solution to said cell pellet to remove antisperm antibodies;
• and
• (c) resuspending cell pellet in a mixture of washing solution, reagent to increase cell motility and a reagent to prevent free radical production to obtain semen without sperm bound antibodies.

A method for increasing success of IVF treatment and IUI treatment, comprising the steps of:

• (a) removing white blood cells and separating motile sperm cells from semen by:
• (i) providing a device, for separation of motile sperm cells from non-motile material, said non-motile material including white blood cells, in a sample of sperm, said device comprising;
• (I) a sample compartment;
• (II) at least one channel;
• and
• (III) a barrier separating said sample compartment from said at least one channel, such that said sperm must cross over said barrier from said sample compartment to reach said channel;
• (ii) filling said channels of said device with a viscous solution;
• (iii) mixing semen with magnetic beads coupled with anti CD45;
• (iv) putting said sample in said sample compartment and incubating;
• and
• (v) collecting motile sperm cells from said channels;
• (b) removing sperm bound antibodies by:
• (i) forming a cell pellet by centrifugation;
• (ii) adding an acidic solution to remove antisperm antibodies;
• and
• (iii) resuspending cell pellet in a mixture of washing solution, reagent to increase cell motility and a reagent to prevent free radical production.

A device for measuring sperm motility in a sample of sperm, comprising;

• (a) a sample compartment;
• (b) at least one channel;
• and
• (c) a barrier separating said sample compartment from said at least one channel, such that said sperm must cross over said barrier from said sample compartment to reach said at least one channel.