Womb-on-a-chip biomimetic system for improved embryo culture and development

Abstract

The 3D biomimetic microsystem described in this research integrates various functions of the fallopian tube to serve as an in vitro platform for fertilization and embryonic development. This device mimics the in vivo embryo-endometrial stromal cell monolayer coculture to enhance the group culture of embryos and mechanically culture the embryos in a dynamic manner to enhance their development. The microdevice presented here is compared with static culture for embryonic development rate in the presence and absence of epithelial cells. The results suggest that the dynamic biomimetic microsystem enhances the rate of embryo development, providing a culture environment that closely mimics the in vivo microenvironment. This all-in-one biomimetic microsystem has the potential to replace the present embryo culture platforms used for assisting in vitro fertilization. (C) 2015 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.