Power of polarised light to select eggs most likely to develop a healthy embryo

Today at the 34th European Society of Human Reproduction and Embryology in Barcelona, IVFAustralia’s Liza Tilia, PGD supervisor / Senior Embryologist presented results of a study that found that at the time of ICSI, the oocyte meiotic spindle morphology is a predictive marker of fertilisation, blastocyst formation and the genetic normality of the resulting day 5 embryo.

“We know the importance of the health of eggs and sperm on creating healthy embryos which will develop a pregnancy and ultimately baby. The challenge is finding non-invasive ways to identify the best gametes. Using a non-invasive polarised light technique we are gaining a much deeper and clearer understanding of the profile of eggs, the shape and position of genetic information within the egg to help us know which egg to select,” explained Liza Tilia.

Those oocytes with normal spindle morphology are more likely to form viable blastocysts, while oocytes with poorly formed, telophase or no visible spindle result in embryos with significantly reduced reproductive and developmental potential.

Co-author of the study Dr Christos Venetis explains this study highlights further the importance of the egg meiotic spindle for the development of the resulting embryo. “This technology offers more clinical information regarding the quality of the egg, an elusive target for many years, and can help clinicians and patients better understand the potential of their eggs. This information can be used to tailor treatment and potentially optimise the outcome of ART treatment”