Jozsef Bodis, Bernadett Nagy*, Zoltan Bognar, Timea Csabai, Jozsef Berke, Istvan Gulyas, Peter Mauchart, H. R Tinneberg, Balint Farkas, Akos Varnagy and Kalman Kovács
Background: In the past four decades, In Vitro Fertilization (IVF) has benefited from substantial advancements and become a routine medical procedure. Embryo development can be moderated with time lapse systems, but such systems use visible light that can harm cells. Living cells have spontaneous Ultraweak Photon Emissions (UPEs) that are generated by metabolic reactions and influenced by physiological conditions.
Methods: Embryo-emitted photons were detected with a custom in-house ORCA-Quest CMOS camera and microscope incubator system. Images were taken in the dark. Negative control measures were taken for an empty vessel and a vessel with only oil and media. Optimal data were collected with all software filters off.
Findings: Reference measurements showed only negligible differences between empty and incubation medium filled samples. When four cell embryos were removed from their culture incubators for examination in laboratory air, light and temperature conditions, degenerated two cell stage embryos were observed to have lower UPE levels than cleaving embryos. Fresh embryos had significantly greater UPE levels than previously frozen and then thawed embryos.
Interpretation: UPE detection in mouse embryos can provide a foundation for the development of a photon emission embryo control system.
Published Date: 2024-09-25; Received Date: 2023-08-10
