Construction of microfluidics-based fallopian tube model for
mimicking fertilization and early embryo culture in vivo

doi:10.3969/j.issn.2095-4344.1339

Abstract

Abstract:

BACKGROUND: With the increasing proportion of infertility in the population, more and more attentions have been paid on assisted reproductive techniques. Fertilization and early embryo culture are the significant parts of assisted reproductive techniques; however, they remain unchanged in the last few decades.

OBJECTIVE: To design a novel microfluidics-based fallopian tube model that can mimic the microenvironment of fertilization and early embryo culture in vivo.

METHODS: Microfluidic device was manufactured by soft lithography method to mimic the anatomical characteristic of fallopian tube in vivo. Mouse oviduct primary epithelial cells were cultured and purified by explants culture method, and then the purified cells were identified by keratin immunofluorescence method. Epithelial cells were then loaded into the channel to mimic the biochemical environment of fallopian tube in vivo. The chip was connected to the automatic liquid changing device to mimic the liquid environment of fallopian tube in vivo.

RESLUTS AND CONCLUSION: (1) The channel of this model is cylindrical with 2 cm of height and 1 cm of diameter, which were in accordance with the anatomical characteristic of the isthmus of fallopian tube in shape. (2) The keratin immunofluorescence was positive, which indicated that mouse oviduct primary epithelial cells can be obtained by explants culture method. (3) The cells were loaded into the channel to cover the wall of channel, which provided a biochemical microenvironment similar to that in vivo for fertilization and early embryo culture. After the chip was connected to the automatic liquid changing device, metabolic waste could be taken away and nutrient substance can be replenished in time, which mimics the real fluid environment in vivo. (4) This study combined microfluidics technology and assisted reproductive techniques to design a novel fallopian tube model, which mimics the micro-environment of fertilization and early embryo culture in vivo. This study has laid a foundation for further improvement of assisted reproductive techniques and the rate of fertilization and embryo optimization.

Key words: microfluidics, microfluidic chip, fallopian tube, assisted reproductive techniques, embryo culture

CLC Number:

R459.9

R318.16

R714

Wang Meng, Zhang Bo. Construction of microfluidics-based fallopian tube model for mimicking fertilization and early embryo culture in vivo[J]. Chinese Journal of Tissue Engineering Research, 2020, 24(2): 265-270.

Figures/Tables 3

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