Development of a respirometric biochip for embryo assessment.

A prototype respirometric biochip dedicated to monitoring oxygen consumption of preimplantation embryos has been developed. The biochip comprises a linear array of eight flow-through microchambers profiled on silicon substrate, and functions together with a phosphorescent oxygen sensitive probe and fluorescence plate reader detection. A high level of sensitivity to changes in dissolved oxygen was achieved through miniaturisation and optimization of biochip geometry, and incorporation of appropriate sealing and humidification systems.