Abstract

This study presents a combination of intravital window and novel OCT functional methods for first dynamic, volumetric, in vivo imaging of oocytes and embryos, tracking oviductal ciliary function and individual sperm movements.

The goal of the study is to develop dynamic functional optical coherence tomography (OCT) to investigate reproductive processes in physiological environment in mouse models. The transport of oocytes and embryos through the oviduct (fallopian tube) is a fundamental reproductive processes of clinical importance. Because mammalian fertilization and embryogenesis take place deep within the female body, these processes are hidden from direct observation, how the oviduct (fallopian tube) facilitates the transport of gametes and preimplantation embryos continue to be unanswered, limiting success in management of reproductive disorders.

This study presents a combination of intravital window and OCT for first dynamic, volumetric, in vivo imaging of oocytes and embryos as they are transported through the mouse oviduct. By implementation of new functional OCT methods, we established novel approaches for tracking oviductal ciliary function and individual sperm movements. Supported by dynamic volumetric visualizations, the study reveals a variety of intriguing never-before-seen dynamic behaviors and suggest new regulatory mechanisms driving sperm and egg navigation as well as regulate embryonic transport toward the implantation site. These new in vivo imaging approaches can be combined with variety of genetic and pharmacological manipulations for live functional analysis, bringing a new potential to investigate reproductive physiology in its native state.

© 2022 The Author(s)