Issue 7, 2013

Thinking big by thinking small: application of microfluidic technology to improve ART

Abstract

In Vitro Fertilization (IVF) laboratories often carry a penchant to resist change while in the pursuit of maintaining consistency in laboratory conditions. However, implementation of new technology is often critical to expand scientific discoveries and to improve upon prior successes to advance the field. Microfluidic platforms represent a technology that has the potential to revolutionize the fundamental processes of IVF. While the focus of microfluidic application in IVF has centered on embryo culture, the innovative platforms carry tremendous potential to improve other procedural steps and represents a possible paradigm shift in how we handle gametes and embryos. The following review will highlight application of various microfluidic platforms in IVF for use in maturation, manipulation, culture, cryopreservation and non-invasive quality assessment; pointing out new insights gained into functions of sperm, oocytes and embryos. Platform design and function will also be discussed, focusing on limitations, advancements and future refinements that can further aid in their clinical implementation.

Graphical abstract: Thinking big by thinking small: application of microfluidic technology to improve ART

Article information

Article type
Critical Review
Submitted
22 Nov 2012
Accepted
17 Jan 2013
First published
12 Feb 2013

Lab Chip, 2013,13, 1213-1224

Thinking big by thinking small: application of microfluidic technology to improve ART

J. E. Swain, D. Lai, S. Takayama and G. D. Smith, Lab Chip, 2013, 13, 1213 DOI: 10.1039/C3LC41290C

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