Published date: Dec 06 2024

Journal Title: International Journal of Reproductive BioMedicine

Issue title: International Journal of Reproductive BioMedicine (IJRM): Volume 22, Issue No. 10

Pages: 781–792

DOI: 10.18502/ijrm.v22i10.17663

Hossein TorkashvandDepartment of Anatomy, School of Medicine, Iran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran.

Ronak ShabaniReproductive Sciences and Technology Research Center, Department of Anatomy, School of Medicine, Iran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran.

Tayebe ArtimaniFertility and Infertility Research Center, Hamadan University of Medical Sciences, Hamadan, Iran.

Shamim PilehvariFertility and Infertility Research Center, Hamadan University of Medical Sciences, Hamadan, Iran.

Mahdi MoghimiSchool of Mechanical Engineering, Iran University of Science and Technology, Tehran, Iran.

Mehdi MehdizadehMehdizadeh.m@iums.ac.irReproductive Sciences and Technology Research Center, Department of Anatomy, School of Medicine, Iran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran.

Background: In vitro maturation (IVM) is a promising technique in assisted reproductive technologies, offering benefits such as reducing the risk of ovarian hyperstimulation syndrome.

Objective: This study aimed to evaluate the effects of timed follicular fluid meiosis-activating sterol (FF-MAS) supplementation on the IVM of germinal vesicle oocytes using a dynamic microfluidic system.

Materials and Methods: In this lab trial study, 266 germinal vesicle oocytes were collected from the Infertility Center of Fatemieh hospital, Hamedan, Iran between June 2023 and January 2024. The oocytes were allocated into 3 groups for dynamic microfluidic culture. Each group received culture medium at a flow rate of 0.36 μL/min for 24 hr through inlet A and FF-MAS supplementation through inlet B for 1, 2, and 6 hr. The study evaluated maturation and fertilization rates, embryo development, and mitochondrial status, which was assessed using the JC-1 mitochondrial membrane potential assay.

Results: Maturation rates were significantly higher in the medium-term FF-MAS exposure (MTG) and long-term FF-MAS exposure groups compared to the short-term FF-MAS group (STG) (p < 0.05). Fertilization rates were also higher in the MTG and long-term FF-MAS group compared to the STG (p < 0.05). Embryo formation rates and the proportion of good-quality embryos were higher in the MTG compared to the STG (100% vs. 75%; p = 0.03) and (83.3% vs. 33.3%; p = 0.01), respectively. Mitochondrial peripheral distribution was significantly higher in the MTG than in the STG (p = 0.04).

Conclusion: Optimizing FF-MAS exposure duration enhances IVM efficiency, offering a promising strategy to increase oocyte utilization in in-vitro fertilization programs.

Keywords: In vitro maturation, Microfluidic device, Follicular fluid, Sterol.

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