Microfluidic in-vitro fertilization technologies: Transforming the future of human reproduction

The field of assisted reproductive technology (ART) has seen constant improvement and advancement targeted towards optimal development of the embryos in vitro to improve clinical outcomes. In-vitro fertilization (IVF) procedures are highly repetitive, labor-intensive, and are costly to perform. Micro-fluidic technology can potentially transform the future of ART due to its ability to miniaturize, integrate, and automate. Microfluidics can be integrated into all stages of embryo production: spermatozoa sorting, oocytes denudation, fertilization, embryo culture, and vitrification. The development could be driven by progress in the 3D printing technology, organ-on-a-chip, alternative material, and integrated micro-fluidic operational units. Ultimately, a microfluidic system that integrates oocyte processing, sperm processing, and embryo culture will be desirable to miniaturize several laborious laboratory procedures into one compact device. This article will review the recent applications of microfluidic technologies to IVF procedure and discuss the challenges and potentials for microfluidics technologies to be applied for ART.(c) 2023 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.

Automated summary

The field of assisted reproductive technology (ART) has been constantly improving, and microfluidic technology has the potential to play a transformative role in optimizing embryo development. Microfluidics can be integrated into various stages of embryo production, enabling miniaturization, integration, and automation. Progress in 3D printing technology, organ-on-a-chip, alternative materials, and integrated microfluidic operational units will drive the development of this technology. An ideal microfluidic system would incorporate oocyte processing, sperm processing, and embryo culture into a single compact device. This article reviews the recent applications of microfluidic technologies in IVF procedures and discusses the challenges and potentials for their application in ART.