A number of histopathology studies have utilized the label free microscopy method of Second Harmonic Generation (SHG) to investigate collagen organization in disease onset and progression. Here we explored an alternative label free imaging approach, LC-PolScope that is based on liquid crystal based polarized light imaging. We demonstrated that this more accessible technology has the ability to ...

BACKGROUND Birefringent spindles imaged with the Polscope can predict fertilization rates after intracytoplasmic sperm injection (ICSI). The present study examined the development of human oocytes with or without birefringent spindles, imaged with the Polscope before ICSI. METHODS Oocytes were obtained from stimulated ovaries of consenting patients undergoing oocyte retrieval for ICSI. Spindl...

Polarized light microscopy provides unique opportunities for analyzing the molecular order in man-made and natural materials, including biological structures inside living cells, tissues, and whole organisms. 20 years ago, the LC-PolScope was introduced as a modern version of the traditional polarizing microscope enhanced by liquid crystal devices for the control of polarization, and by electro...

BACKGROUND Birefrigent meiotic spindle in live human oocytes can be visualized by the PolScope. This study investigated the relationship between birefrigent meiotic spindle and cytoplasmic mitochondrial DNA (mtDNA) and ATP contents in in vitro matured human oocytes. METHODS Oocytes at germinal vesicle stage were collected and cultured for 24-48 h with or without the metabolic inhibitor, carbo...

The aim of this study was to determine the morphological characteristics of the older reproductive aged women's oocytes and to reveal the influence of these characteristics on intra-cytoplasmic sperm injection (ICSI) outcomes. The oocytes of women older than 35 years of age were evaluated retrospectively. Non-invasive polarization microscopy (PolScope) examinations of mature oocytes were perfor...

BACKGROUND Spindles are formed from microtubules and are exquisitely sensitive to changes in temperature. An orientation-independent polarized light microscope, the Polscope, can be used to image spindles in living oocytes allowing analysis of spindle kinetics in the living state. This study examined the effects of cooling on spindle disassembly in living human oocytes and spindle recovery afte...

BACKGROUND/AIM Polycystic ovarian syndrome (PCOS) is one of the most common causes of infertility. One of the best therapeutic options for PCOS patients is intracytoplasmic sperm injection (ICSI). In vitro maturation (IVM) can also be a useful technique for these women. The goal of this study was to evaluate both the zona pellucida (ZP) birefringence and meiotic spindle (MS) of in vivo- and in ...

BACKGROUND In vitro maturation (IVM) is a promising treatment option for certain infertile women. Nowadays, with the aid of PolScope, it has become possible to evaluate zona pellucida (ZP) characteristics as a parameter of oocyte quality. Moreover, quality of oocytes can be influenced by many factors, such as patient's age. The PolScope system is a non-invasive technique to assess birefringent ...

BACKGROUND Meiotic spindles in living human oocytes can be visualized by the Polscope. This study investigated the relationship between the presence/location of the spindle in metaphase II (MII) oocytes and developmental competence of embryos in vitro. METHODS The spindles in 626 MII oocytes were examined by the Polscope and divided into six groups (A-F) based on the presence or absence of th...