Authors: Matías D. Gómez-Elías, Guillermina M. Luque, Natalia Oscoz-Susino, Analía G. Novero, Olinda Briski, Inés Kásparas, Tomás J. Steeman, Cintia Stival, Mariano Lavolpe, Vanina Julianelli, Marisa Geller, Martín Attie, Rita Vassena, Darío Krapf, and Mariano G. Buffone.
This proof-of-concept study evaluated HyperSperm, a novel sperm preparation technology designed to better replicate the physiological capacitation process and enhance sperm function during in vitro fertilization (IVF). The study combined preclinical, and first-in-human clinical data to assess the impact of HyperSperm on embryo development and reproductive outcomes.
In both mouse and human models, HyperSperm significantly increased sperm hyperactivation without compromising sperm viability, acrosomal integrity, or DNA quality. In mice, treatment with HyperSperm resulted in improved fertilization, blastocyst development, implantation rates, and live birth outcomes, producing healthy and fertile offspring.
The first-in-human prospective sibling-oocyte study included 10 couples undergoing IVF with donor oocytes. While fertilization rates were comparable between groups, HyperSperm significantly increased usable blastocyst rates compared with standard sperm preparation methods (67.9% vs. 43.8%, p=0.0122). Embryos generated with HyperSperm also showed normal morphokinetic development.
Together, these findings support sperm capacitation optimization as a promising strategy to improve embryo developmental competence and enhance IVF efficiency.