Abstract
The location of an oocyte spindle can be identified by observing metaphase II (M II) oocytes with a LC-Polscope prior to performing intracytoplasmatic sperm injection (ICSI). Spindle damage caused by ICSI procedure raises concerns as the spindle is not always adjacent to the first polar body (PB1) and is also seen in areas penetrated by ICSI needles. LC-Polscope ICSI guided by spindle location demonstrated a significantly lower abnormal fertilization rate compared to conventional ICSI guided by location of PB1. While spindles visualized by LC-Polscope accounted for 80% of oocytes, differences in fertilization rate, good cleavage rate and blastocyst development rate were observed between visible and invisible spindle groups. These results indicate the possibility of using spindle visibility as an indicator for determining oocyte quality. It also suggests a possible correlation between the retardance of spindle image on LC-Polscope and the blastocyst development rate.
