Oviduct-on-a-chip model for embryo production
Epithelial cells harvested from oviducts dissected from slaughterhouse material are grown on a 3D folded porous filter that is placed in a microfluidic lab on a chip chamber. The chamber allows nano-fluidic perfusion of the cell monolayer to mimic peri-ovulatory hormonal changes in circulation. On top of the cells that adhered to the porous filter at the apical nano-fluidic perfusion side sperm cells can attach to the differentiated oviduct cell culture and oocytes are introduced. The hormonal switch of the basolateral medium causes the oviduct cells to condition the apical medium resulting in the release and activation of sperm and exclusive monomeric fertilization
Highlights:
- Exclusive monomeric fertilization with superior quality when compared to classical in vitro fertilization (IVF);
- Allows live imaging of fertilization in a more reliable mimic of the fertilization niche in vivo;
- Useful for bio-banking to preserve valuable embryos for animal breeding of endangered mammalian species, or for embryo production and preservation of valuable breeding lines.
Principal Investigator
dr. B.M. (Bart) Gadella
Associate ProfessorEmail: b.m.gadella@uu.nlPhone: 030 253 5386Veterinary Medicine - Department Biomolecular Health Sciences - Cell Biology, Metabolism & CancerVeterinary Medicine - Department Population Health Sciences - Farm Animal Health