Oocyte Biomechanics Using a Microdevice to Correlate Transients of Micro-Flow Impedance and Electrical Impedance

The biomechanical properties of cells reflect the intrinsic health of a cell and, in the case of oocytes, can provide an indication of reproductive capacity. Microfluidic impedance cytometry (MIC) enables label-free, high-throughput analysis of single-cell mechanics. This study introduces a MIC system combining optical and electrical measurements to assess oocyte deformation under controlled pressure. Two chip types were fabricated: chemically inert glass ablation chips and SU-8-based chips, which enabled electrode integration and lower resistance to deformation. Continuous impedance measurements revealed signal changes corresponding to the depth of penetration into the microchannel constriction, which correlated with the deformability of the cells. These results establish MIC as a promising non-invasive screening tool for reproductive medicine and developmental biology.