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

Electrical stimulation of gametes and embryos and on-chip manipulation of microdroplets of culture medium serve as promising tools for assisted reproductive technologies (ARTs). Thus far, dielectrophoresis (DEP), electrorotation (ER) and electrowetting on dielectric (EWOD) proved compatible with mos...

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Bibliographic Details
Published in:Lab on a chip 2022-05, Vol.22 (1), p.1852-1875
Main Authors: Karcz, Adriana, Van Soom, Ann, Smits, Katrien, Verplancke, Rik, Van Vlierberghe, Sandra, Vanfleteren, Jan
Format: Article
Language:English
Subjects:
Animals
Culture Media
Dielectrophoresis
Electrowetting
Embryo, Mammalian - physiology
Embryos
Entrapment
Germ Cells
Lab-on-a-chip
Mammals
Reproductive Techniques, Assisted
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Summary:Electrical stimulation of gametes and embryos and on-chip manipulation of microdroplets of culture medium serve as promising tools for assisted reproductive technologies (ARTs). Thus far, dielectrophoresis (DEP), electrorotation (ER) and electrowetting on dielectric (EWOD) proved compatible with most laboratory procedures offered by ARTs. Positioning, entrapment and selection of reproductive cells can be achieved with DEP and ER, while EWOD provides the dynamic microenvironment of a developing embryo to better mimic the functions of the oviduct. Furthermore, these techniques are applicable for the assessment of the developmental competence of a mammalian embryo in vitro . Such research paves the way towards the amelioration and full automation of the assisted reproduction methods. This article aims to provide a summary on the recent developments regarding electrically stimulated lab-on-chip devices and their application for the manipulation of gametes and embryos in vitro . Electric fields in in vitro processing of gametes and embryos: dielectrophoresis (DEP) and electrowetting on dielectric (EWOD).
ISSN:1473-0197
1473-0189
DOI:10.1039/d1lc01160j