Multiparametric Porcine Oocyte Deformation Characterization by Novel MEMS-Type Cytometer ^†

Abstract

In this work for the first time MEMS-type deformation microcytometer and a new methodology for the determination of cell deformability is proposed. Novel chip design and methodology allow real-time observation of the cell deformation occurring during compression of oocytes. In addition, software-based analysis of microscopic images allows multiparametric characterization of the investigated cell toward quality assessment of the cell.

1. Introduction

Cells change their mechanical properties due to interaction with the elements of the environment, or reaction to stimuli located in it. Mechanical properties of cells may be used as labelfree determinants of the state and biological quality of cells.

Only a few literature reports concern mechanical properties of the oocytes determined by use of MEMS devices [1,2]. Among the existing MEMS solutions, especially microfluidic structures, there is a lack of standarization due to the variety of measurement methods used and the multiplicity of determined parameters that cannot be compared with each other [3,4,5]. Usually only single parameter is given as result, e.g., deformation amount or deformation ratio. Oocyte has complex structure and cannot be considered as homogenous object, therefore it should be described more precisely by multiparametric characterization. There is a need for new technical and methodological solutions for the study of reproductive cells mechanobiology, including mainly oocytes, due to the relatively few tests carried out using miniaturized microfluidic systems. Therefore, an attempt was made to find the correlation between the mechanical properties of porcine oocytes with their quality of reproductive functions.

2. Materials and Methods

The MEMS-type deformation microcytometer consists of a microfluidic circuit fabricated in a glass substrate and a micromechanical system made in a single crystal silicon substrate anodically bonded each to other. The examined cell is introduced through a hole in the upper glass substrate into fluidic microchannel, and then it is directed to the measurement chamber and positioned in its central part directly above bossed area of the silicon membrane (Figure 1 and Figure 2).

Figure 1. Visualization of the deformation micrometer (view from above) along with microscopic photo of the micromachined trapping structure in the glass, next view of the porcine oocyte in the measurement chamber and cell with the parameters determined by the software analysis (W_out, H_out, W_in, H_in, A₁, A₂).

Figure 2. Schematic cross section through the microcytometer structure with trapped oocyte.

The micromechanical structure that squeezes the cell is a pneumatically actuated silicon bossed diaphragm (50 µm thick, 5 mm × 5 mm large). Elveflow pressure controller with an accuracy of 0.1 kPa is used as precise pressure regulator. A microscope with camera and dedicated software is used to record images of the cell during deformation. Observation of the cell is carried out “from above” to identify detailed microstructure of the oocyte. The analysis software enables identification of the cell and its individual elements, determination of various geometrical parameters (inside and outside diameters of the cell components and surface areas of the inside structures) (see Figure 1).

3. Results

In the experiments 10 porcine oocytes were deformed with membrane actuated up to 100 kPa. Although all examined cells were classified as 1st class some differences and tendencies in the deformation of cells were noticed. The first measurements of cells suggest approximately linear dependence of cell diameter changes due to the membrane actuation pressure (for example cells no 1, 2 or 8) (Figure 3).

Figure 3. Exemplary dependences of the outside diameter (W_out) of the oocytes as function of the membrane actuation pressure (three specific results).

We can also observe uneven cell deformation during compression. Differences in the degree of change of the diameter (external W_out and H_out, and internal W_in and H_in) show the elliptical nature of the oocytes shape (Figure 4). In addition, it seems that the that the degree of deformation of oocytoplasm’ surface area (A₂) may differ from the degree of the deformation of the whole cell including the outer part of the cell—zona pellucida (A₁) (Figure 5).

Figure 4. Dependence of the different cells’ diameters change during porcine oocyte deformation; microscopic images of the selected cells, prior the deformation, are also showed.

Figure 5. Dependence of the cell surface areas change during porcine oocyte deformation.

4. Discussion

MEMS-type deformation microcytometer along with dedicated program allows observation of the oocyte behavior during compression and determination of cell deformability. Initial experiments show the complexity of oocytes deformation and differences between cells within the 1st class of quality. Determined parameters and related to them tendencies have been identified for the first time and may lead to definition of quality sub-groups under the same quality class in the future.