Development of in vitro embryo culture system based-on microfluidics for artificial reproductive technology

2016 Fiscal Year Final Research Report

• Project/Area Number: 26390039
• Research Category: Grant-in-Aid for Scientific Research (C)
• Allocation Type: Multi-year Fund
• Section: 一般
• Research Field: Nano/Microsystems
• Research Institution: Tokai University
• Principal Investigator: Kimura Hiroshi 東海大学, 工学部, 准教授 (40533625)
• Co-Investigator(Renkei-kenkyūsha): FUJII TERUO 東京大学, 生産技術研究所, 教授 (30251474) ; OGAWA TAKEHIKO 横浜市立大学, 生命医科学研究科, 教授 (50254222)
• Research Collaborator: NAKAMURA HIROKO 東海大学, 工学部, 特定研究員 ; TAKAHASHI TSUBASA 東海大学, 工学研究科, 大学院生
• Project Period (FY): 2014-04-01 – 2017-03-31
• Keywords: マイクロデバイス / 不妊治療 / 受精卵培養 / 精子選別 / 媒精

Outline of Final Research Achievements

We aimed to develop an in vitro embryo production device which allows three steps of sperm selection, fertilization and culture on a microdevice. We have integrated the sperm sorting function combining with swim-up and swim-down methods onto the device. To evaluate the device functions, sperm sorting experiment, in vitro fertilization experiment, and embryo culture experiment have been carried out. As results, we concluded that the device has ability to produce high quality embryos by integrating the sperm sorting function. This concept will open and enhance the management of an individual embryo for assisted reproductive technology, livestock breeding, and fundamental stage research by further development.

Free Research Field

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