Abstract
This chapter introduces a digital microfluidic device that automates sample preparation for mammalian embryo vitrification. Individual microdroplets manipulated on the microfluidic device were used as microvessels to transport a single mouse embryo through a complete vitrification procedure. Advantages of this approach, compared to manual operation and channel-based microfluidic vitrification, include automated operation, cryoprotectant concentration gradient generation, and feasibility of loading and retrieval of embryos.
*These authors contribute equally to this work
This is a preview of subscription content, log in via an institution to check access.
Access this chapter
Tax calculation will be finalised at checkout
Purchases are for personal use only
References
Pyne DG, Liu J, Abdelgawad M, Sun Y (2014) Digital microfluidic processing of mammalian embryos for vitrification. PLoS One 9(9):e108128
Pegg DE (2010) The relevance of ice crystal formation for the cryopreservation of tissues and organs. Cryobiology 60:S36–S44
Whittingham D (1971) Survival of mouse embryos after freezing and thawing. Nature 233:125–126
Saragusty J, Arav A (2011) Current progress in oocyte and embryo cryopreservation by slow freezing and vitrification. Reproduction 141:1–19
Vajta G, Nagy ZP (2006) Are programmable freezers still needed in the embryo laboratory? Review on vitrification. Reprod Biomed Online 12:779–796
Rall WF, Fahy GM (1985) Ice-free cryopreservation of mouse embryos at −196 degrees C by vitrification. Nature 313:573–575
AbdelHafez FF, Desai N, Abou-Setta AM, Falcone T, Goldfarb J (2010) Slow freezing, vitrification and ultra-rapid freezing of human embryos: a systematic review and meta-analysis. Reprod Biomed Online 20:209–222
Pollack MG, Fair RB (2000) Electrowetting-based actuation of liquid droplets for microfluidic applications. Appl Phys Lett 77:1725–1726
Barbulovic-Nad I, Au SH, Wheeler AR (2010) A microfluidic platform for complete mammalian cell culture. Lab Chip 10:1536–1542
Chang Y-H, Lee G-B, Huang F-C, Chen Y-Y, Lin J-L (2006) Integrated polymerase chain reaction chips utilizing digital microfluidics. Biomed Microdevices 8:215–225
Sista RS, Eckhardt AE, Srinivasan V, Pollack MG, Palanki S et al (2008) Heterogeneous immunoassays using magnetic beads on a digital microfluidic platform. Lab Chip 8:2188–2196
Park S, Wijethunga PAL, Moon H, Han B (2011) On-chip characterization of cryoprotective agent mixtures using an EWOD-based digital microfluidic device. Lab Chip 11:2212–2221
Heo YS, Lee H-J, Hassell BA, Irimia D, Toth TL et al (2011) Controlled loading of cryoprotectants (CPAs) to oocyte with linear and complex CPA profiles on a microfluidic platform. Lab Chip 11:3530–3537
Lai D, Ding J, Smith GD, Takayama S (2013) Automated microfluidic gradient cryoprotectant exchange platform for murine oocyte and zygote vitrification reduces osmotic stress and improves embryo developmental competence. Fertil Steril 100:S107
Song YS, Moon S, Hulli L, Hasan SK, Kayaalp E et al (2009) Microfluidics for cryopreservation. Lab Chip 9:1874–1881
Ali J, Shelton JN (1993) Design of vitrification solutions for the cryopreservation of embryos. J Reprod Fertil 99:471–477
Berthier J, Clementz P, Roux J, Fouillet Y, Peponnet C (2006) Modeling microdrop motion between covered and open regions of EWOD microsystems. NSTI Nanotechnology Conference and Trade Show Boston, USA, Vol. 1. pp. 685–688.
Swain JE, Lai D, Takayama S, Smith GD (2013) Thinking big by thinking small: application of microfluidic technology to improve ART. Lab Chip 13:1213–1224
Otoi T, Yamamoto K, Koyama N, Tachikawa S, Suzuki T (1998) Cryopreservation of mature bovine oocytes by vitrification in straws. Cryobiology 37:77–85
Nakao K, Nakagata N, Katsuki M (1997) Simple and efficient vitrification procedure for cryopreservation of mouse embryos. Exp Anim 46(3):231–234
Kuwayama M, Vajta G, Ieda S, Kato O (2005) Comparison of open and closed methods for vitrification of human embryos and the elimination of potential contamination. Reprod Biomed Online 11:608–614
Martino A, Songsasen N, Leibo SP (1996) Development into blastocysts of bovine oocytes cryopreserved by ultra-rapid cooling. Biol Reprod 54:1059–1069
Au SH, Kumar P, Wheeler AR (2011) A new angle on pluronic additives: advancing droplets and understanding in digital microfluidics. Langmuir 27:8586–8594
Luk VN, Mo GC, Wheeler AR (2008) Pluronic additives: a solution to sticky problems in digital microfluidics. Langmuir 24:6382–6389
Srinivasan V, Pamula VK, Fair RB (2004) An integrated digital microfluidic lab-on-a-chip for clinical diagnostics on human physiological fluids. Lab Chip 4:310–315
Jönsson-Niedziółka M, Lapierre F, Coffinier Y, Parry SJ, Zoueshtiagh F et al (2011) EWOD driven cleaning of bioparticles on hydrophobic and superhydrophobic surfaces. Lab Chip 11:490–496
Acknowledgment
This work was supported by the Grants from NSERC (Natural Sciences and Engineering Research Council of Canada) via a Discovery Grant and the Canada Research Chairs Program.
Author information
Authors and Affiliations
Corresponding author
Editor information
Editors and Affiliations
Rights and permissions
Copyright information
© 2017 Springer Science+Business Media LLC
About this protocol
Cite this protocol
Liu, J., Pyne, D.G., Abdelgawad, M., Sun, Y. (2017). Appendix C: Automated Vitrification of Mammalian Embryos on a Digital Microfluidic Device. In: Nagy, Z., Varghese, A., Agarwal, A. (eds) Cryopreservation of Mammalian Gametes and Embryos. Methods in Molecular Biology, vol 1568. Humana Press, New York, NY. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-1-4939-6828-2_23
Download citation
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/978-1-4939-6828-2_23
Published:
Publisher Name: Humana Press, New York, NY
Print ISBN: 978-1-4939-6826-8
Online ISBN: 978-1-4939-6828-2
eBook Packages: Springer Protocols