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Practical Manual of In Vitro Fertilization pp 121–125Cite as

Polarization Microscopy

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Abstract

The potential of an embryo to implant is a key element for the success in assisted reproduction. Morphological criteria of oocytes and embryos and developmental progression during the preimplantation phase were considered as a strong predictor for embryo implantation. Recently, polarization light microscopy has enabled the detection of structures within oocytes which possess a natural birefringence. Birefringence analysis of living human oocytes represents a new approach in assessing oocyte viability and embryo potential. The present knowledge of birefringence imaging will be summarized especially in regard to their impact on assisted reproduction.

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Author information

Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Gynecological Endocrinology, Fertility Disorders University of Heidelberg, Voßstr. 9, 69115, Heidelberg, Germany

    Markus Montag PhD

  2. Department of Gynecological Endocrinology and Reproductive Medicine, University of Bonn, Bonn, Germany

    Maria Köster DVSc & Hans van der Ven MD

Authors
  1. Markus Montag PhD
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  2. Maria Köster DVSc
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  3. Hans van der Ven MD
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Corresponding author

Correspondence to Markus Montag PhD .

Editor information

Editors and Affiliations

  1. , Scientific and Laboratory Director, Reproductive Biology Associates, Atlanta, 30342, Georgia, USA

    Zsolt Peter Nagy

  2. , Sr. Embryologist, Montreal Reproductive Centre, Montreal, H4A 3J3, Québec, Canada

    Alex C. Varghese

  3. Center for Reproductive Medicine, Department of Urology, Cleveland Clinic, Euclid Avenue 9500, Cleveland, 44195, Ohio, USA

    Ashok Agarwal

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© 2012 Springer Science+Business Media, LLC

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Montag, M., Köster, M., van der Ven, H. (2012). Polarization Microscopy. In: Nagy, Z., Varghese, A., Agarwal, A. (eds) Practical Manual of In Vitro Fertilization. Springer, New York, NY. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-1-4419-1780-5_14

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/978-1-4419-1780-5_14

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  • Publisher Name: Springer, New York, NY

  • Print ISBN: 978-1-4419-1779-9

  • Online ISBN: 978-1-4419-1780-5

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