This document discusses several potential technologies for identifying viable oocytes, including polar body biopsy, spindle imaging, and zona pellucida birefringence. Polar body biopsy and array comparative genomic hybridization can be used to assess chromosomal disorders in oocytes. Spindle imaging using polarization microscopy can identify the meiotic stage of an oocyte. Zona pellucida birefringence imaging using polarization microscopy provides information on cytoplasmic maturity, with more structured zonae correlating with better developmental potential. These technologies, especially polar body biopsy, spindle imaging, and zona imaging, may help select the most implantation-competent embryos.