Development of optical coherence tomography imaging system for analysis of follicular development in ovarian tissue

2016 Fiscal Year Final Research Report

• Project/Area Number: 26670712
• Research Category: Grant-in-Aid for Challenging Exploratory Research
• Allocation Type: Multi-year Fund
• Research Field: Obstetrics and gynecology
• Research Institution: Yamagata University
• Principal Investigator: Abe Hiroyuki 山形大学, 大学院理工学研究科, 教授 (10375199)
• Research Collaborator: KUROTANI Reiko ; TAKAKURA Kei
• Project Period (FY): 2014-04-01 – 2017-03-31
• Keywords: 光干渉断層撮影 / 卵母細胞 / 発生 / 加齢 / 生殖医療

Outline of Final Research Achievements

In this study, we have examined optical coherence tomography (OCT) for noninvasive analysis of follicular development in mice ovaries. Ovary has many follicles and oocytes at different developmental stages. Quantification of the follicle at various developmental stages is important to evaluate the capacity of the ovary to provide oocytes that are capable of fertilization resulting in a successful pregnancy. 3D structural OCT images were identified each developmental stage from primary follicle (50 μm in diameter) to antral follicle (350 μm in diameter) in the ovary of 25.5-day-old mouse. Further we found time-varying OCT signals at the oocytes compared with around tissues. The motions of oocytes were clearly enhanced by inter-frame intensity based Doppler OCT techniques. The OCT techniques are effective to analyze the development of follicles and oocytes in ovaries.

Free Research Field

生殖生物学