ABSTRACT
About 18% of reproductive-age adults worldwide are affected by infertility. In vitro fertilization (IVF) and intracytoplasmic sperm injection (ICSI) are widely used assisted reproductive technologies (ARTs) aimed at improving clinical outcomes. Efficient and noninvasive selection and isolation of highly motile sperm with intact DNA are essential for the success of IVF and ICSI and can potentially impact the therapeutic efficacy and the health of the offspring. Compared to traditional methods, microfluidic technology offers significant advantages such as low sample consumption, high efficiency, minimal damage, high integration, similar microenvironment, and high automation, providing a new platform for ARTs. Here, we review the current situation of microfluidic technology in the field of sperm motility screening and evaluation and IVF research. First, we focus on the working principle, structural design, and screening results of sperm selection microfluidic platforms. We then highlight how the multiple steps of the IVF process can be facilitated and integrated into a microfluidic chip, including oocyte capture, sperm collection and isolation, sperm sorting, fertilization, and embryo culture. Ultimately, we summarize how microfluidics can complement and optimize current sperm sorting and IVF protocols, and challenges and possible solutions are discussed.
Subject(s)
Fertilization in Vitro , Microfluidic Analytical Techniques , Spermatozoa , Humans , Male , Fertilization in Vitro/methods , Spermatozoa/cytology , Spermatozoa/chemistry , Microfluidic Analytical Techniques/instrumentation , Microfluidic Analytical Techniques/methods , Female , Sperm Motility , Lab-On-A-Chip DevicesABSTRACT
SIGNIFICANCE: We present a unique cause for zonular dehiscence, which provides a pathway for subsequent dislocation of an implanted phakic refractive lens (PRL) into the vitreous cavity. PURPOSE: To determine the cause of zonular dehiscence and to avoid similar complications after PRL implantation in the future. CASE REPORT: A 37-year-old highly myopic patient with refraction of -24.0 DS in both eyes received PRL implantation in both eyes. In the 14-month postoperative follow-up, it was found that the PRL dislocated into the vitreous cavity. The patient then underwent phacoemulsification and vitrectomy. The patient was treated successfully. No ocular complication was found. The visual acuity of the left eye was 20/40, two weeks after surgery. CONCLUSIONS: We report a unique cause for zonular dehiscence, and the clarification of its detailed characteristics may contribute to prevention of such a complication in the future.
Subject(s)
Phakic Intraocular Lenses , Postoperative Complications , Humans , Adult , Refraction, Ocular , Lens Implantation, Intraocular/adverse effects , Visual Acuity , Phakic Intraocular Lenses/adverse effectsABSTRACT
PURPOSE: To investigate the long-term changes in anterior corneal structure after surface ablation. METHODS: In this retrospective study, patients who received surface ablation including laser-assisted subepithelial keratomileusis (LASEK) and epipolis laser in situ keratomileusis at the Department of Ophthalmology of Fudan University Eye and Ear, Nose and Throat (EENT) Hospital (Shanghai, People's Republic of China) were telephoned. Patients were asked to follow-up at the refractive center. Changes in the anterior cornea (from the epithelium to the anterior stroma) were examined by optical coherence tomography (OCT) and in vivo confocal microscopy. RESULTS: Thirty-four eyes of 18 patients (10 years or more after operation), 16 eyes of 8 patients (4 years after operation), 12 eyes of 6 patients (1 year after operation), 8 eyes of 4 patients (6 months after operation), and 12 eyes of 6 patients (1 month after operation) were included. Under OCT, a smooth, continuous, and highly reflective demarcation line between the epithelial layer and the stroma was noted in all eyes that received surgeries more than 1 year previously. For eyes at 6 months after operation, the complete formation of this demarcation line was detected in 12.5% (1/8) of eyes and a partial formation of this demarcation line was observed in 87.5% (7/8) of eyes. A partial formation of this demarcation line was observed in 100% (12/12) of eyes in patients at 1 month after surgery. CONCLUSIONS: A demarcation line in the human cornea can be detected after corneal surface ablation. It was completely formed around postoperative 6 to 12 months. The functions and components of this structure merit investigation.
