Prediction of chromosome misalignment among in vitro matured human oocytes by spindle imaging with the PolScope.
OBJECTIVE
To examine whether spindle morphologic features imaged with the LC-PolScope (Cambridge Research and Instrumentation, Woburn, MA) in living human oocytes matured in vitro can be used to predict chromosome configuration and select oocytes with normal chromosomes.


METHODS
Morphological study.


METHODS
Academic IVF clinic.


METHODS
Women undergoing oocyte retrieval for ICSI treatment.


METHODS
Oocytes were examined after in vitro maturation.


METHODS
The study examined meiotic spindle morphologic features and chromosome alignments.


RESULTS
After culture for 22 to 24 hours, 77.1% of oocytes reached metaphase II stage, with 51.9% of oocytes showing birefringent spindles. Confocal microscopy revealed that 71% of oocytes with the birefringent spindles had normal chromosome alignment, and 29% of oocytes with birefringent spindles and all oocytes without birefringent spindles had abnormal microtubule organization and abnormal chromosome alignment.


CONCLUSIONS
The spindle images obtained with the PolScope in living human oocytes are coordinate with those in fixed oocytes as imaged by confocal microscopy. Spindle images with the PolScope can be applied to human in vitro fertilization to help predict chromosomally normal oocytes for insemination.
Wang
Wei Hua
WH
Houston Fertility Institute, Tomball Regional Hospital, Tomball, Texas 77375, USA. wangweihua11@yahoo.com
Keefe
David L
DL
D001718:Birefringence; D002478:Cells, Cultured; D023902:Chromosome Pairing; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008859:Microscopy, Polarization; D008870:Microtubules / Q000648:ultrastructure; D009865:Oocytes / Q000502:physiology* / Q000648:ultrastructure; D012016:Reference Values; D008941:Spindle Apparatus / Q000648:ultrastructure*; D013997:Time Factors