  We discuss the excess conductivity above Tc due to renormalized
order-parameter fluctuations in YBCO at microwave frequencies. We calculate the
effects of the uniaxial anisotropy on the renormalized fluctuations in the
Hartree approximation, extending the isotropic theory developed by Dorsey
[Phys. Rev. B 43, 7575 (1991)]. Measurements of the real part of the microwave
resistivity at 24 and 48 GHz and of the dc resistivity are performed on
different YBCO films. The onset of the superconducting transition and the
deviation from the linear temperature behavior above Tc can be fully accounted
for by the extended theory. According to the theoretical calculation here
presented, a departure from gaussian toward renormalized fluctuations is
observed. Very consistent values of the fundamental parameters (critical
temperature, coherence lenghts, penetration depth) of the superconducting state
are obtained.
