IVF-on-a-Chip: Recent Advances in Microfluidics Technology for In Vitro Fertilization

Abstract

In vitro fertilization (IVF) has been one of the most exciting modern medical technologies. It has transformed the landscape of human infertility treatment. However, current IVF procedures still provide limited accessibility and affordability to most infertile couples because of the multiple cumbersome processes and heavy dependence on technically skilled personnel. Microfluidics technology offers unique opportunities to automate IVF procedures, reduce stress imposed upon gametes and embryos, and minimize the operator-to-operator variability. This article describes the rapidly evolving state of the application of microfluidics technology in the field of IVF, summarizes the diverse angles of how microfluidics has been complementing or transforming current IVF protocols, and discusses the challenges that motivate continued innovation in this field.

The incompletely fulfilled promise of embryo transfer in cattle—why aren’t pregnancy rates greater and what can we do about it?

“…One technology that has seen implementation in the field of assisted reproduction is microfluidics, for both IVP of embryos and cryopreservation ( Zhao and Fu, 2017 ; Weng, 2019 ). In cattle, microfluidic devices have been developed for sorting more viable sperm ( Li et al, 2016 ) and oocytes ( Iwasaki et al, 2018 ).…”

Sperm Selection and Embryo Development: A Comparison of the Density Gradient Centrifugation and Microfluidic Chip Sperm Preparation Methods in Patients with Astheno-Teratozoospermia

“…In recent years, microfluidic chip-based sperm sorting has emerged as an alternative tool to historical sperm preparation methods [ 18 , 19 , 20 ]. The microfluidic application allows for rapid isolation of poor semen samples with high motility, improved DNA integrity and low morphological abnormalities [ 35 ].…”

“…Sufficient evidence has been provided by meta-analyses to show the detrimental effect of DNA fragmentation on clinical pregnancy following IVF and/or ICSI [ 15 , 16 , 17 ]. Microfluidic chip-based sperm sorting is a recent and powerful tool, which has been introduced as an alternative to centrifugation-based, conventional techniques [ 18 , 19 , 20 ]. A variety of microfluidic devices with different approaches ranging from passive to flow or chemical-based sorting have been designed to efficiently isolate the highly motile and healthy sperm [ 21 , 22 , 23 , 24 , 25 , 26 ].…”

A Review on Microfluidics: An Aid to Assisted Reproductive Technology

“…In contrast, in ICSI, a single sperm is injected directly into the oocyte’s cytoplasm through a thin needle. ICSI is the presiding treatment for almost all forms of male infertility [ 11 ]. There is no need to undertake ICSI in most cases unless there is a male factor or history of previous failure in fertilization, but the truth is that many groups use ICSI in women who have poor prognosis, women who are undergoing PGS, or for fertilization of vitrified oocytes.…”

“…The current research to regulate various stages of assisted reproductive programs with microfluidic techniques, with their benefits and shortcomings, is explained in [ 11 ]. IVF is a technique in which sperm and oocytes are conventionally inseminated and cultured in specialized laboratory conditions.…”