Microfluidic Encapsulation of Ovarian Follicles for 3D Culture

Abstract

The ovarian follicle that contains one single oocyte is the fundamental functional tissue unit of mammalian ovary. Therefore, isolation and in vitro culture of ovarian follicles to obtain fertilizable oocytes are regarded as a promising strategy for women to combat infertility. In this communication, we performed a brief survey of studies on microfluidic encapsulation of ovarian follicles in core-shell hydrogel microcapsules for biomimetic 3D culture. These studies highlighted that recapitulation of the mechanical heterogeneity of the extracellular matrix in ovary is crucial for in vitro culture to develop early pre-antral follicles to the antral stage, and for the release of cumulus-oocyte complex (COC) from antral follicles in vitro. The hydrogel encapsulation-based culture system and the microfluidic technology may be invaluable to facilitate follicle culture as a viable option for restoring women’s fertility in the clinic.

A Microfluidic Device for Culturing an Encapsulated Ovarian Follicle

“…However, in this project, hormone data from OFs cultured in a dish and on a chip were compared. The data from the diameters and hormones expressions of the OFs were consistent with previous literature [ 8 , 20 ]. It proved the successful OF culture on chip like dish.…”

“…Endogenous autocrine and paracrine factors from both types of cells are diluted, which affect the OF development [ 5 ]. In 3D approaches with millimeter-sized alginate encapsulation, the OF architecture is preserved efficiently [ 6 , 7 , 8 ]. Folliculogenesis, the growth of OF, depends on different hormones.…”

One-step automated bioprinting-based method for cumulus-oocyte complex microencapsulation for 3D in vitro maturation

“…Suitable biomaterials and microfabrication procedures are important for microencapsulation. Among biocompatible materials, alginate hydrogels have been successfully used for culturing and studying different cell types [17] and have been widely employed in long-term in vitro culture of ovarian follicles [18][19][20][21][22][23][24][25][26][27][28][29][30][31]. In recent years, IVM culture of COCs in 3D alginate microenvironments has been reported in various animal models with encouraging results [18,[32][33][34][35][36].…”

Advances in Microfluidics‐Based Assisted Reproductive Technology: From Sperm Sorter to Reproductive System‐on‐a‐Chip

“…The ovarian follicles encapsulated with this technique developed to the antral stage and successfully ovulated to cumulus‐oocyte complex. Other microfluidic platforms to culture ovarian follicles are recently reviewed …”