A group of Korean scientists claimed Friday to have found a way to increase the chances of fertilization in pregnancy operations, including in vitro fertilization.

Chung-Ang University professor Bang Myeong-geol said that his team has developed a method for sorting out “abnormal” sperm that can cause miscarriage or deformities. The researchers said their results were announced at an academic forum in France early this year.

Professor Bang said that while existing methods of DNA examination can also check the condition of sperm, such sperm cannot be used for pregnancy operations because it is damaged during the examination process.

The researchers said their method allows them to determine whether sperm are normal by the way they inflate in a low-concentration solution.

Bang said that semen preserved in the solution does not get damaged and thus can be used for fertility treatments, potentially helping to significantly reduce miscarriages or deformities.