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Microfluidics for Gamete Manipulation and Embryo Culture

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Practical Manual of In Vitro Fertilization

Abstract

Microfluidics is an emerging field that holds immense potential for scientific discovery. By utilizing microfluidics, knowledge can be obtained in basic gamete/embryo developmental biology as well as expand our understanding in specialized areas, such as assisted reproduction. This review describes the technology of microfluidics and discusses applications for assisted reproduction technology. Development of an integrated microfluidic platform for assisted reproduction, which can manipulate gametes, embryos, their culture environment, and incorporate biomarker analysis, could have a dramatic impact on basic understanding of embryo physiology as well as provide significant improvements in current assisted reproductive technologies focused on treating infertility and preserving fertility.

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Acknowledgments

The authors would like to thank Dr. Carrie Smith for critically reviewing this manuscript. We recognize and appreciate financial support from National Institutes of Health (NIH; HD 049607–01—S.T & G.D.S), United States Department of Agriculture (USDA; 2005–35203–16148—G.D.S & S.T), the Michigan Economic Development Corporation (MEDC; GR 696—S.T & G.D.S) Support for C.B. was provided by NIH Training Grant in Reproductive Sciences T32-HD07048 (G.D.S). We apologize to those whose work we have not cited owing to space limitation.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Departments of OB/GYN, Physiology, and Urology, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, MI, USA

    Gary D. Smith PhD

  2. Reproductive Sciences Program, A Taubman Consortium for Stem Cell Therapies, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, MI, USA

    Gary D. Smith PhD

  3. Reproductive Endocrinology, Wisconsin Oncofertility Clinic, UW Hospital and Clinics, Madison, WI, USA

    Charles Bormann PhD

  4. Department of Biomedical Engineering, Macromolecular Science and Engineering Program, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, MI, USA

    Shuichi Takayama PhD

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  1. Gary D. Smith PhD
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  3. Shuichi Takayama PhD
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Correspondence to Gary D. Smith PhD .

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Editors and Affiliations

  1. , Scientific and Laboratory Director, Reproductive Biology Associates, Atlanta, 30342, Georgia, USA

    Zsolt Peter Nagy

  2. , Sr. Embryologist, Montreal Reproductive Centre, Montreal, H4A 3J3, Québec, Canada

    Alex C. Varghese

  3. Center for Reproductive Medicine, Department of Urology, Cleveland Clinic, Euclid Avenue 9500, Cleveland, 44195, Ohio, USA

    Ashok Agarwal

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Smith, G.D., Bormann, C., Takayama, S. (2012). Microfluidics for Gamete Manipulation and Embryo Culture. In: Nagy, Z., Varghese, A., Agarwal, A. (eds) Practical Manual of In Vitro Fertilization. Springer, New York, NY. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-1-4419-1780-5_20

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