Scientists have developed a method to coat sperm with tiny iron oxide beads, making them magnetic without harming their motility or health. These magnetic sperm can then be directed through the female reproductive tract using external magnetic fields.
In laboratory tests, magnetic sperm successfully fertilized eggs in vitro. The magnetic beads detached naturally once the sperm penetrated the egg, maintaining healthy embryo formation rates.
This technique aims to facilitate in-body IVF by guiding sperm to the egg using magnets, which may reduce or eliminate invasive steps like egg retrieval and embryo transfer.
