A microfluidic system supports single mouse embryo culture leading to full-term development

We demonstrate a novel, flexible and programmable method to pump liquid through microchannels in lab-on-a-chip systems without the use of an external pump. The pumping principle is based on the rotation of ferromagnetic Janus microspheres around permalloy disks, driven by an external rotating magnetic field. By placing the disks close to the edge of the microchannel, a pumping rate of at least 0.3 nL min(-1) was measured using tracking microspheres. Geometric programming of the pumping direction is possible by positioning the magnetic disk close to the side wall. A second degree of freedom in the pumping direction is offered by the rotational direction of the external magnetic field. This method is especially suited for flow-controlled recirculation of chemical and biological species in microchannels - for example, medium recirculation in culture chambers - opening the way towards novel, portable, on-chip applications without the need for external fluidic or electrical connections.

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“…long-term cell culture, 15 embryo development 16 and organ-on-chip systems. In a later stage, a capping layer of e.g.…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Bidirectional microfluidic pumping using an array of magnetic Janus microspheres rotating around magnetic disks

et al. 2015

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“…Melin et al devised a microfluidic device capable of culturing a group of two embryos up to blastocyst stage in each sub‐microliter microwells . Esteves et al demonstrated that unlike clinical microdrops, single embryo cultured in a microfluidic device could successfully lead to normal birth . CFM also provides a dynamic culture microenvironment similar to in vivo conditions embryo experiences in the oviduct.…”

Section: Continuous‐flow Microfluidics In Artmentioning

confidence: 99%

Advances in Microfluidics‐Based Assisted Reproductive Technology: From Sperm Sorter to Reproductive System‐on‐a‐Chip

2018

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The fields of assisted reproductive technology (ART) and in vitro fertilization (IVF) have progressed rapidly, yet still need further improvements. Microfluidic technology can incorporate various ART procedures such as embryo/gamete (sperm/oocyte) analysis, sorting, manipulation, culture, and monitoring. The introduction of paper‐based and droplet‐based microfluidics further improves the commercialization potential of this technology. The progress in 3D printing technology allows for the integration of microfluidics with tissue engineering that may revolutionize current practices in biology and medicine. This review categorizes ART methods according to continuous‐flow microfluidics, paper‐based microfluidics, droplet‐based microfluidics, and organ‐on‐a‐chip. The advances are summarized and potential opportunities in infertility diagnosis, sperm selection, sperm guidance, oocyte selection, insemination, embryo culture, embryo monitoring, and cryopreservation are identified. While some advances of continuous‐flow microfluidics for ART have already been reviewed, other microfluidic techniques are still in their early stages. It is envisioned that advances in droplet‐based microfluidics, especially digital microfluidics, will allow for more progress in human IVF, particularly single embryo transfer. Droplet‐based microfluidics may also lead to fully integrated and high‐throughput platforms for animal IVF. Recent advances in organ‐on‐a‐chip including ovary/uterus/oviduct‐on‐chip platforms hold promise for the integration of the whole human reproductive system‐on‐a‐chip for clinical applications.

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“…Similarly, a microfluidic platform allowing precise nanoliter culture of mouse embryos supported embryo development to the blastocyst stage, without significant improvement, yet importantly provided ability to dissect physical requirement of single and group culture (Melin et al, 2009). Esteves et al (2013) also reported that mouse preimplantation embryos could be cultured in microfluidics and studied the impact of fluid flow, embryo density and media volume. Collectively, these experiments using mouse embryos document that microfluidics can be used for preimplantation embryo culture, they provide experimental power in precise regulation of culture environment and informative data on embryo development, and provided benefits for embryo development.…”

Section: Embryo Culture With Microfluidicsmentioning

confidence: 99%

Application of microfluidic technologies to human assisted reproduction

Smith

Takayama

2017

Mol. Hum. Reprod.

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Microfluidics can be considered both a science and a technology. It is defined as the study of fluid behavior at a sub-microliter level and the investigation into its application to cell biology, chemistry, genetics, molecular biology and medicine. There are at least two characteristics of microfluidics, mechanical and biochemical, which can be influential in the field of mammalian gamete and preimplantation embryo biology. These microfluidic characteristics can assist in basic biological studies on sperm, oocyte and preimplantation embryo structure, function and environment. The mechanical and biochemical characteristics of microfluidics may also have practical and/or technical application(s) to assisted reproductive technologies (ART) in rodents, domestic species, endangered species and humans. This review will consider data in mammals, and when available humans, addressing the potential application(s) of microfluidics to assisted reproduction. There are numerous sequential steps in the clinical assisted reproductive laboratory process that work, yet could be improved. Cause and effect relations of procedural inefficiencies can be difficult to identify and/or remedy. Data will be presented that consider microfluidic applications to sperm isolation, oocyte cumulus complex isolation, oocyte denuding, oocyte mechanical manipulation, conventional insemination, intracytoplasmic sperm injection, embryo culture, embryo analysis and oocyte and embryo cryopreservation. While these studies have progressed in animal models, data with human gametes and embryos are significantly lacking. These data from clinical trials are requisite for making future evidence-based decisions regarding the application of microfluidics in human ART.

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A microfluidic system supports single mouse embryo culture leading to full-term development

Cited by 51 publications

References 47 publications

Bidirectional microfluidic pumping using an array of magnetic Janus microspheres rotating around magnetic disks

Bidirectional microfluidic pumping using an array of magnetic Janus microspheres rotating around magnetic disks

Advances in Microfluidics‐Based Assisted Reproductive Technology: From Sperm Sorter to Reproductive System‐on‐a‐Chip

Application of microfluidic technologies to human assisted reproduction

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