Dynamic volumetric imaging of ovulated egg transport to the fallopian tube with optical coherence tomography
Kohei Umezu, 1, Shang Wang, 2, and Irina V. Larina, 1
1 Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, Texas, USA
2 Stevens Institute of Technology, Hoboken, New Jersey, USA
Abstract
Ovulation is essential for mammalian reproduction. To study this process, scientists take an advantage of genetic mouse models linked to human pathologies. Ex vivo observations in mice revealed that ovulation involves release of eggs from the ovary into surrounding space enclosed by the ovarian bursa, followed by their transport to the infundibulum, the first portion of the fallopian tube. The genetic/molecular mechanisms involved in ovulation and the egg transport are under thorough investigation. However, there is little information on the dynamic aspect and regulation of the ovulated egg transport to the infundibulum due to limited imaging access, which is being addressed in this study. This study utilized optical coherence tomography (OCT) for dynamic volumetric imaging of reproductive events in mice. The study is performed ex vivo on extracted female reproductive organs as well as in vivo through the implantable window with clear aperture. The OCT imaging enabled precise spatio-temporal analysis of the female reproductive tissues including oviduct, ovary, and the eggs within the ovarian bursa. We observed periodic contraction-like movement of the ovarian bursa after ovulation, which coincided with a flow of cumulus cells inside the bursa. These observations suggest that the flow generated by the periodic movement of the bursa could contribute to the egg transport to infundibulum, which will be further investigated. In summary, our findings demonstrate intravital optical coherence tomography as a promising tool for in vivo analysis of mammalian ovulation and suggest potential mechanisms for the egg transport to the fallopian tube.
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Speaker
Kohei Umezu
Baylor College of Medicine
USA
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