Fluorescence oxygen sensor array for non-contact and rapid measurement of oxygen consumption rate of single oocyte.

Evaluation of oocytes and embryos is an important technique for many biomedical applications. In this study, we proposed a method to measure individual oocytes' oxygen consumption rate by fluorescence oxygen measurement using a fluorescent oxygen sensor arranged in a striped pattern on a microchamber. For oxygen concentration measurement, a fluorescent oxygen microsensor array was prepared using a hydrophilic photo-crosslinkable resin and fluorescent oxygen indicator. The sensor was fabricated by forming a stripe pattern on polydimethylsiloxane using photopolymerization and molding methods. Since the oxygen permeabilities of polydimethylsiloxane and the medium are similar, the oxygen concentration distribution around the oocyte follows the spherical diffusion theory. The sensor array was used to detect the distribution of oxygen concentration in two-dimensional plane. The oxygen consumption rate of the single oocyte was obtained by image analysis and Fick's law. A single mouse oocyte's oxygen consumption rate on the microchamber could be measured without contact of sensor probe to the target oocyte within 8 seconds (0.59 +/- 0.03 fmol/s).