Optical Coherence Tomography for Dynamic Investigation of Mammalian Reproductive Processes

Authors

Kohei Umezu
Irina V Larina

Publication Date

1-1-2023

Journal

Molecular Reproduction and Development

DOI

10.1002/mrd.23665

PMID

36574640

PMCID

PMC9877170

PubMedCentral® Posted Date

1-1-2024

PubMedCentral® Full Text Version

Author MSS

Published Open-Access

yes

Keywords

Humans, Male, Female, Animals, Mice, Tomography, Optical Coherence, Semen, Reproduction, Fallopian Tubes, Oviducts, Mammals, in vivo imaging, cilia, oocyte, optical coherence tomography, oviduct, spermatozoa, mouse

Abstract

The biological events associated with mammalian reproductive processes are highly dynamic and tightly regulated by molecular, genetic, and biomechanical factors. Implementation of live imaging in reproductive research is vital for the advancement of our understanding of normal reproductive physiology and for improving the management of reproductive disorders. Optical coherence tomography (OCT) is emerging as a promising tool for dynamic volumetric imaging of various reproductive processes in mice and other animal models. In this review, we summarize recent studies employing OCT-based approaches toward the investigation of reproductive processes in both, males and females. We describe how OCT can be applied to study structural features of the male reproductive system and sperm transport through the male reproductive tract. We review OCT applications for in vitro and dynamic in vivo imaging of the female reproductive system, staging and tracking of oocytes and embryos, and investigations of the oocyte/embryo transport through the oviduct. We describe how the functional OCT approach can be applied to the analysis of cilia dynamics within the male and female reproductive systems. We also discuss the areas of research, where OCT could find potential applications to progress our understanding of normal reproductive physiology and reproductive disorders.