Cell J 2021 Apr 1;23(1):32-39. Epub 2021 Mar 1.
Drug Applied Research Center, Tabriz University of Medical Sciences, Tabriz, Iran. Email:
Objective: In customary assisted reproductive technology (ART), oocyte culture occurs in static micro drops of Petri dishes with vast media volume; while, the condition is dynamic. In this study, we aimed to improve the maturation efficiency of mammalian oocytes by designing an optimal microchamber array to obtain the integration of oocyte trapping and maturation within a microfluidic device and evaluate the role of microfluidic culture condition in lipid peroxidation level of the culture medium, matured oocytes apoptosis, and its comparison with the conventional static system.
Materials And Methods: In this experimental research, immature oocytes were collected from ovaries of the Naval Medical Research Institute (NMRI) mice. Oocytes were randomly laid in static and dynamic (passive and active) maturation culture medium for 24 hours. The lipid peroxidation level in oocyte culture media was assessed by measuring the concentration of malondialdehyde (MDA), and the rate of apoptosis in matured oocytes was assessed by the TUNEL assay after a-24 hour maturation period.
Results: The MDA concentration in both dynamic oocyte maturation media were significantly lower than the static medium (0.003 and 0.002 vs. 0.13 μmol/L, P<0.01). Moreover, the rate of apoptosis in matured oocytes after a-24 hour maturation period was significantly lower in passive dynamic and active dynamic groups compared with the static group (16%, 15% vs. 35%, P<0.01).
Conclusion: The dynamic culture for oocyte maturation (IVM) improves the viability of IVM oocytes in comparison with the static culture condition.