Fabrication on the microscale: a two-photon polymerized device for oocyte microinjection.

Area of Science:

• Reproductive biology
• Microsystems engineering
• Assisted reproductive technology

Background:

• Intracytoplasmic sperm injection (ICSI) is crucial for male subfertility but relies heavily on operator skill.
• Minimizing oocyte handling during ICSI is hypothesized to simplify the procedure and reduce variability.

Purpose of the Study:

• To design and fabricate a novel micrometer-scale device for ICSI.
• To simplify the ICSI procedure by reducing the need for dual micromanipulators and extensive oocyte handling.

Main Methods:

• Fabrication of a two-component device (Pod and Garage) using 2-photon polymerization.
• Toxicity assessment via mouse zygote culture to blastocyst stage within the device.
• Quantification of DNA damage/repair using γH2A.X immunohistochemistry.
• Demonstration of ICSI capability using fluorescent microspheres and assessment of high-throughput potential.

Main Results:

• Embryo development and DNA integrity were comparable to standard culture when using the device.
• ICSI within the device eliminated the need for a holding pipette, enhancing traceability.
• The device facilitates high-throughput microinjection, surpassing standard practices.

Conclusions:

• The novel device simplifies ICSI, potentially decreasing inter-operator variability.
• This innovation could lead to improved embryo production in assisted reproductive procedures.