Visualization and examination of the meiotic spindle in human oocytes with polscope

Purpose: The effect of detectability/location of meiotic spindle to fertilization of human MII oocytes and outcome of clinical IVF/ICSI-ET cycles was studied. Methods: The location of spindle relative to polar body positioned to 6 o'clock was detected with polscope prior to ICSI in oocytes. Data of 83 IVF/ICSI-ET cycle, including pregnancy results, and a total of 1033 oocytes examined were analyzed retrospectively. Results: Polar body position does not always accurately predict spindle position. Similar fertilization was observed in the polscope detected and in the control group. The main number of oocytes and spindle positive oocytes collected was higher in the pregnant than in the nonpregnant group. Higher fertilization was found in that group where 2/3-d of the oocytes had detected spindle. The main number of oocytes and spindle positive oocytes obtained decreased with increasing age of patients. Conclusions: The presence of birefringent spindle predicts higher fertilization and development and greater probability of pregnancy.