Three-dimensional imaging of the developing mouse female reproductive organs with optical coherence tomography

Jason C. Burton, Shang Wang, Richard R. Behringer, Irina V. Larina

Research output: Chapter in Book/Report/Conference proceedingConference contributionpeer-review

1 Scopus citations

Abstract

Infertility is a known major health concern and is estimated to impact ∼15% of couples in the U.S. The majority of failed pregnancies occur before or during implantation of the fertilized embryo into the uterus. Understanding the mechanisms regulating development by studying mouse reproductive organs could significantly contribute to an improved understanding of normal development of reproductive organs and developmental causes of infertility in humans. Towards this goal, we report a three-dimensional (3D) imaging study of the developing mouse reproductive organs (ovary, oviduct, and uterus) using optical coherence tomography (OCT). In our study, OCT was used for 3D imaging of reproductive organs without exogenous contrast agents and provides micro-scale spatial resolution. Experiments were conducted in vitro on mouse reproductive organs ranging from the embryonic day 14.5 to adult stages. Structural features of the ovary, oviduct, and uterus are presented. Additionally, a comparison with traditional histological analysis is illustrated. These results provide a basis for a wide range of infertility studies in mouse models. Through integration with traditional genetic and molecular biology approaches, this imaging method can improve understanding of ovary, oviduct, and uterus development and function, serving to further contribute to our understanding of fertility and infertility.

Original languageEnglish
Title of host publicationOptical Methods in Developmental Biology IV
EditorsMichael A. Choma, Scott E. Fraser, Andrew M. Rollins
ISBN (Electronic)9781628419504
DOIs
StatePublished - 2016
EventOptical Methods in Developmental Biology IV - San Francisco, United States
Duration: 13 Feb 201614 Feb 2016

Publication series

NameProgress in Biomedical Optics and Imaging - Proceedings of SPIE
Volume9716
ISSN (Print)1605-7422

Conference

ConferenceOptical Methods in Developmental Biology IV
Country/TerritoryUnited States
CitySan Francisco
Period13/02/1614/02/16

Keywords

  • 3D imaging
  • development
  • infertility
  • longitudinal study
  • mouse
  • optical coherence tomography
  • ovary
  • oviduct
  • reproductive biology
  • uterus

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