Devices for motile sperm separation

Device ( 10, 110 ) for separating motile sperm from a sample ( 100, 200 ), comprises a vessel ( 15, 115 ) having an inlet port ( 20, 120 ), an outlet port ( 35, 135 ) which is initially closed, a medium ( 40, 140 ) into which motile sperm in the sample ( 100, 200 ) can migrate into the vessel ( 15, 115 ) via the inlet ( 20, 120 ), and an actuator ( 50, 150 ), the operation of which opens the outlet ( 35, 135 ), thereby allowing the medium ( 40, 140 ) to flow out of the vessel ( 15, 115 ) through the outlet ( 35, 135 ). The medium ( 40, 140 ) in the vessel ( 15, 115 ) is initially prevented from flowing through the outlet ( 35, 135 ), thus allowing an incubation period which allows motile sperm sufficient time to migrate from the sample ( 100, 200 ) into the medium ( 40, 140 ) before the medium ( 40, 140 ) leaves the vessel ( 35, 135 ). The device ( 10, 110 ) preferably comprises a spermatozoa detector in communication with the outlet. In devices for separating sperm, capillary flow takes place through non-fibrous material, such as the space between sheets ( 81 a and 81 b; 181 a and 181 b) of closely-juxtaposed material. A device for separating motile and non-motile sperm includes a temperature sensor, a heat source ( 70, 170 ) and, optionally, a temperature regulator.