In response to the rising global infertility rates and the challenges of declining birthrates, a research team led by Professor Ching-Chou Wu at National Chung Hsing University (NCHU), in collaboration with Lee Women’s Hospital, has developed a groundbreaking non-invasive platform for evaluating mitochondrial function in embryos. This platform measures the oxygen consumption rate (OCR) of blastocysts to help physicians more accurately select embryos with higher developmental potential—offering a promising new tool to improve in vitro fertilization (IVF) success rates.

Studies on bovine and human IVF models have shown that embryos with higher mitochondrial OCR are more likely to hatch and successfully implant. The newly developed system integrates an electrochemical detection chip, embryo/electrode positioning imaging, and a unified OCR measurement interface, enabling rapid, non-invasive assessment of mitochondrial activity in embryos—without the need for biopsy or complex genetic screening.

Unlike conventional approaches that rely heavily on morphology or costly next-generation sequencing (NGS), this platform offers a faster and safer method for embryo evaluation. Animal model studies have demonstrated that blastocysts with OCR/rs values greater than 1 fmol/s/μm show over 90% hatching success, significantly outperforming embryos with lower mitochondrial activity.

With chip components designed for sterilization and single-use operation, the system is well-suited for clinical application and mass production. Preclinical safety testing has shown no adverse effects on embryo development or reproductive outcomes, and the team is preparing for TFDA regulatory approval to bring this innovative solution into clinical IVF workflows.

According to the research team, this OCR-based embryo evaluation platform not only helps improve pregnancy outcomes for patients but also streamlines decision-making for IVF specialists. With an estimated market potential of over NT$580 million annually in Taiwan alone, the system is poised to become a transformative technology in reproductive medicine.