O-006 Novel and scalable non-invasive metabolic imaging of early embryos using a lab-on-a-chip approach
Authors: Vargas-Ordaz E , Newman H , Catt S , Nosrati R , Cadarso V , Neild A , Horta F 
Published: June 2023

Study question

Is it feasible to safely determine metabolic imaging signatures to measure nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide (NADH) associated auto-fluorescence in early embryos using a scalable lab-on-a-chip approach?

Summary answer

We developed an optofluidic device capable of non-invasively obtain high-resolution 3D images of the metabolic activity of live mouse embryos using a lab-on-a-chip approach.

What is known already

Selecting the most suitable embryos for implantation and subsequent healthy live birth is crucial to the success rate of assisted reproduction and offspring health. Thus, developing non-invasive methods that are reliable to assess oocyte and embryo quality has been a significant aim for assisted reproduction. Besides morphological evaluation using optical microscopy, a promising alternative is the non-invasive imaging of live embryos to establish metabolic activity performance. However, metabolic imaging has been only achieved using highly complex advanced microscopy such as Fluorescence-lifetime imaging (FLIM) and hyperspectral microscopy, methods that are costly and challenging, limiting the potential for deployment in fertility clinics.

Study design, size, duration

The non-invasive nature of the system was investigated by assessing the development and viability of live embryos after embryo culture for 67hrs post metabolic imaging at the 2-cell embryo stage (n = 115), including a control for culture conditions and sham controls (system no-illuminated). Embryo quality of developed blastocysts was assessed by immunocytochemistry to quantify trophectoderm and inner mass cells (n = 75). Furthermore, inhibition of metabolic activity (FK866 inhibitor) during embryo culture was also assessed (n = 18).

Participants/materials, setting, methods

Optofluidic devices were manufactured by cast-moulding using a negative photoresist (SU8-2075; MicroChemicals GmbH, Ulm, Germany) by a standard UV-photolithography process. The microstructures fabricated of polydimethylsiloxane (PDSM) integrated Light Sheet Fluorescence Microscopy into a microfluidic system, including on-chip micro-lenses to generate a light sheet at the center of a microchannel. Super-ovulated F1 (CBA/C57Bl6) mice were used to produce 2-cell embryos and embryo culture experiments. Blastocyst formation rates and embryo quality (immunocytochemistry) were compared between study groups.

Main results and the role of chance

The optofluidic device was capable of non-invasively obtaining high-resolution 3D images of the metabolic activity in live mouse embryos. The system’s design allowed continuous tracking of the embryo location, including high control displacement through the light-sheet, fast imaging of the embryos (&lt;2 second) and keeping a low dose of light exposure (16 J cm-2 and 8 J cm-2). Optimum settings for keeping sample viability showed that a modest light dosage was capable to obtain 30 times higher signal-noise-ratio images than images obtained with a confocal system (p &lt; 0.00001; t-test). The results showed no significant differences between the control, illuminated and non-illuminated embryos (sham control) for embryo development as well as embryo quality at the blastocyst stage (p &gt; 0.05; Yate’s chi squared test). Additionally, embryos with inhibited metabolic activity showed decreased blastocyst formation rates as well as 47% reduction in metabolic activity measured by non-invasive metabolic imaging (p &lt; 0.0001; t-test). This study reports an optofluidic device capable of non-invasive metabolic imaging of live embryos using a similar concept as previously reported using FLIM technology and hyperspectral microscopy, but allowing a novel, scalable and affordable system with implementation potential in standard IVF laboratory equipment.

Limitations, reasons for caution

The study was conducted using a mouse model focused on early embryo development. Further safety studies are required to assess embryonic health by investigating the impact of the use of light during embryo development, live birth, embryo gene expression and epigenome stability.

Wider implications of the findings

This lab-on-a-chip is novel, scalable and has the potential to be used in fertility clinics as a technology platform to enable real-time monitoring of the metabolic function of embryos prior embryo transfer. Future applications include potential integration into existing IVF laboratory equipment such as bench and time-lapse incubators.

Trial registration number

N/A