Using a Dielectrophoretic Microfluidic Biochip Enhanced Fertilization of Mouse Embryo in Vitro

Abstract

Droplet microfluidics has appealed to many interests for its capability to epitomize cells in a microscale environment and it is also a forceful technique for high-throughput single-cell epitomization. A dielectrophoretic microfluidic system imitates the oviduct of mammals with a microchannel to achieve fertilization in vitro (IVF) of an imprinting control-region (ICR) mouse. We applied a microfluidic chip and a positive dielectrophoretic (p-DEP) force to capture and to screen the sperm for the purpose of manipulating the oocyte. The p-DEP responses of the oocyte and sperm were exhibited under applied bias conditions (waveform AC 10 Vpp, 1 MHz) for trapping 1 min. The insemination concentration of sperm nearby the oocyte was increased to enhance the probability of natural fertilization through the p-DEP force trapping. A simulation tool (CFDRC-ACE+) was used to simulate and to analyze the distribution of the electric field. The DEP microfluidic devices were fabricated using poly (dimethylsiloxane) (PDMS) and ITO (indium tin oxide)-glass with electrodes. We discuss the requirement of sperm in a DEP microfluidic chip at varied concentrations to enhance the future rate of fertilization in vitro for an oligozoospermia patient. The result indicates that the rate of fertility in our device is 17.2 ± 7.5% (n = 30) at about 3000 sperms, compatible with traditional droplet-based IVF, which is 14.2 ± 7.5% (n = 28).

Surface Wettability and Electrical Resistance Analysis of Droplets on Indium-Tin-Oxide Glass Fabricated Using an Ultraviolet Laser System

“…The microarray chip exhibited favorable sensitivity and selectivity, comparable to that of standard hospital detection methods. Huang et al [ 16 ] used PDMS and ITO glass with electrodes to fabricate dielectrophoretic microfluidic devices and applied a microfluidic chip and a positive dielectrophoretic force to capture and screen sperm for manipulating the oocyte. With the developed microfluidic device, the oviduct of mammals could be imitated with the microchannel to achieve the fertilization in vitro of an imprinting control-region mouse.…”

Electrically-driven handling of gametes and embryos: taking a step towards the future of ARTs

“…Huang et al proposed three microchips utilizing positive dielectrophoresis for the fertilization of murine oocytes in vitro. [129][130][131] In all studies, an AC signal of 10 V pp at 1 MHz was used for the entrapment and co-incubation of gametes. Various microchannel configurations were created to mimic the conditions in the fallopian tubes at the time of fertilization in vivo and to avoid the unnecessary handling of gametes as is the case for traditional IVF.…”

A Review on Microfluidics: An Aid to Assisted Reproductive Technology

“…DEP microfluidic devices that are fabricated with PDMS and indium tin oxide (ITO)-glass with electrodes, to capture and to screen the sperm in order to manipulate an oocyte, are explained in [ 85 ]. Oocytes subjected to an electric treatment had a developmental potential that was better than those without treatment.…”