Will 'robot sperm' be used to treat infertility in the future?

Dutch scientists are developing magnetically coated "robot sperm" technology that can navigate precisely inside the female body, opening up new prospects in infertility treatment and improving reproductive health in the future.

The technology of ultra-small "robotic sperm" promises to usher in a new era in infertility treatment, diagnosing subfertility, and delivering drugs precisely to the female reproductive system - Photo: AI

Scientists at the University of Twente (Netherlands) have just published a noteworthy study in which they created "robotic sperm," bovine sperm cells coated with a layer of microscopic magnetic particles that allow them to be controlled by magnetic fields and precisely track their path in real time.

Although not yet tested on living organisms, the research team successfully controlled the robotic sperm to move inside a life-sized 3D anatomical model of the female reproductive system and observed the entire process using X-ray imaging.

The study, published in the journal npj Robotics in early September 2025, is expected to revolutionize infertility treatment, aid in the diagnosis of infertility, and even improve in-vitro fertilization (IVF) techniques.

According to the team of scientists, these robotic sperm are coated with a layer of iron oxide nanoparticles, enabling them to react to external magnetic fields. By changing the intensity and direction of the magnetic field, the researchers can control the sperm's movement precisely from a simulated cervix, through the uterine cavity, and toward the fallopian tube, where natural fertilization typically occurs.

In particular, the magnetic coating helps the robotic sperm to be clearly visible on X-ray images, something that was previously almost impossible with natural sperm.

Robot-assisted sperm could become a new medical tool, allowing for the direct delivery of drugs to hard-to-reach areas in the female reproductive system such as the uterus, fallopian tubes, or areas damaged by disease.

This is particularly useful in treating diseases that significantly affect fertility, including uterine cancer, endometriosis, and uterine fibroids.

With its targeted approach, this technology promises to optimize treatment effectiveness, minimize side effects, and open up prospects for personalized treatment in the future.

By directly tracking the path of robotic sperm, scientists gain a more accurate understanding of the mechanisms of sperm transport within the female reproductive system, thereby gaining insight into the causes of many previously unexplained cases of infertility.

Furthermore, controlling sperm with robots could also support improvements in in-vitro fertilization (IVF) techniques, a method that is helping tens of thousands of babies be born each year.

The research results also showed that the robotic sperm did not cause toxicity to human uterine cells even after 72 hours of continuous contact, which opens up the possibility of safe application in the future.

However, experts emphasize that this technology is still in its early stages of testing and requires further research before clinical trials on humans can begin.

Professor Islam Khalil, the lead author of the study, said: "We are turning sperm cells, the body's natural transport system, into programmable micro-robots, opening the door to more precise and efficient reproductive medicine."

MINH HAI

Source: https://tuoitre.vn/tinh-trung-robot-se-duoc-dung-de-dieu-tri-vo-sinh-trong-tuong-lai-20250910181805335.htm