"Rocking" Device could improve in-vitro fertilization rates

Though in vitro fertilization has proved to be successful, researchers have developed a device that could improve the pregnancy rates in mice up to 22 percent. University of Michigan researchers have built a device that “rocks” and mimics the movement an embryo experiences in the mother’s body as it makes its way to the uterus.

The early-stage embryos are housed in a funnel that has microscopic channels to flow nutrients in and waste product out. The funnel itself is on Braille pins that pulse up and down. The Braille pins simulate a naturally occurring muscle contraction that moves cilia in the oviducts. The purpose is to push fertilized eggs to the uterus and dispose of the waste products. 77% of the rocked embryos survived compared to 55% of the statically-grown embryos. In the control group of mice, the embryo was conceived naturally and led to 83% of pregnancies. This device does not only help improve pregnancy rates in-vitro, but essentially makes the embryo healthier since it is being exposed to movements that it would be naturally in the uterus.

I found this article interesting because in class we have discussed in-vitro fertilization, and this technology would greatly improve the statistics that a woman would have to carry a baby.

http://insciences.org/article.php?article_id=8132