Charting new frontiers in In Vitro Fertilization (IVF): The Role of Bioengineering

Abstract

Since the beginning of in vitro fertilization (IVF) 36 years ago, scientists have studied and critically analyzed the techniques in order to find ways to improve outcomes. However, success rates vary significantly among clinics due to poor reproducibility and inconsistency across operators. Much research has been conducted on the chemical environment, or culture medium, surrounding the oocyte/ embryo, but little attention has been given to the actual equipment and physical culture environment, which has changed very little over the years. The aim of this paper was to evaluate how the physical factors are important regulators of oocyte and embryo function and to improve understanding of the physical forces involved in the processes in human reproduction. A review the available literature was conducted using PubMed from 1966 through July 2014 in an attempt to help integrate mechanics into our understanding of the molecular basis of IVF. Keywords included in vitro fertilization, biomechanics, bioengineering, oocyte and embryo. The mechanical characterization of oocytes and embryos represents an opportunity to detect cellular defects, assess quality and bio-viability of processes such as cryopreservation as well as select the best embryo for transfer. Defining the mechanical forces at play during embryo transfer is also an important step towards improving results in in vitro fertilization. The further analysis of these phenomena needs a detailed monitoring of the mechanical conditions and more extensive studies of events on the cellular and molecular levels.

Sperm selection in IVF: the long and winding road from bench to bedside

“…A number of biophysical factors are important regulators of gamete and embryo function, but improved understanding of the physical forces involved in the processes of human reproduction requires novel experimental platforms. In order to bridge this gap, engineers are building tools to control mechanical factors with improved precision and throughput, thereby enabling biological investigation of mechanics-driven function in an attempt to improve understanding and IVF results ( Carneiro et al ., 2015 ).…”

Biomechanics of Early Life in the Female Reproductive Tract

“…The requirements for successful IVF are complex and differ from those in vivo, yet, the field has been evolved to a stage that fusion of the sperm with the oocyte and generating a healthy blastocyst in the laboratory is available almost indefinitely (35). Using MEMS and microfluidic devices advanced the biomechanical knowledge at the cellular levels of the sperm and oocytes, and contributed to the success of extracorporeal fertilization (14,53,96).…”