ASSISTED HATCHING

.What is Assisted Hatching?

Assisted hatching is a procedure used in assisted reproductive technology, specifically in vitro fertilization (IVF), to help embryos hatch from their outer layer of cells, called the zona pellucida, and implant in the uterus.

 During IVF, embryos are created and surrounded by the zona pellucida, which acts as a "shell".

 In order to implant in the uterus and develop into a pregnancy, the embryo must break free of this shell. Assisted hatching is performed by creating a small hole in the zona pellucida using a micromanipulator or a laser.

 This can help the embryo hatch from its shell and implant in the uterus, leading to higher pregnancy rates in some patients.

Assisted hatching is generally performed on the third day of embryo development.

 It is believed that assisted hatching can help an embryo implant in the uterus, leading to higher pregnancy rates in some patients.

 However, a systematic review and meta-analysis found that assisted hatching is unlikely to increase clinical pregnancy rates when performed in fresh embryos transferred to unselected women, to those without poor prognosis or to women of advanced maternal age.

 Additionally, there is no evidence of a significant difference in live birth rate following assisted hatching compared with no assisted hatching.

Assisted hatching is primarily used to assist couples who have had one or more failed IVF cycles in the past.

 It may also be recommended for women who are older than 37, have poor quality embryos, or have elevated follicle stimulating hormone (FSH) levels.

How is Assisted Hatching performed?

Assisted hatching is a procedure that can be performed in patients undergoing in vitro fertilization (IVF) treatment.

 The procedure involves creating a small crack in the zona pellucida, which is the hard outer layer of cells surrounding the embryo.

 The goal of assisted hatching is to help the embryo break free from the zona pellucida and implant into the uterus, leading to higher pregnancy rates in some patients.

Assisted hatching is generally performed on the third day of embryo development.

 The embryologists use a laser to create a very small hole in the zona pellucida.

 procedure can also be done on previously frozen embryos.

Assisted hatching is often used in cases where the female partner is older than 37, or where there are issues with egg quantity or quality, or poor quality embryos.

 It may also be useful for patients with embryos with harder or thicker zona pellucida, and for patients who have previously not succeeded with IVF.

 is important to note that assisted hatching is not suitable for all patients undergoing IVF treatment, and the decision to perform the procedure should be made on a case-by-case basis.

Why is Assisted Hatching used in fertility treatments?

Assisted hatching is a procedure used in fertility treatments, specifically in vitro fertilization (IVF), to help embryos implant in the uterus and increase the chances of a successful pregnancy.

 Here is why assisted hatching is used in fertility treatments:

1.   Zona Pellucida: After embryos are created through IVF, they are surrounded by a hard outer layer of cells called the zona pellucida, which acts as a protective "shell".

2.    In order for an embryo to implant into the uterus and develop into a pregnancy, it needs to break free from this shell.

3.   Assisting Embryo Hatching: Assisted hatching is a procedure where a small crack or hole is created in the zona pellucida to help the embryo "hatch" from its shell.

4.    This can be done using techniques such as laser or acid Tyrode's solution.

 By thinning or weakening the barrier around the embryo, assisted hatching increases the chances of the embryo successfully hatching and attaching to the lining of the uterus.

5.   Increased Pregnancy Rates: Assisted hatching is primarily used for couples who have had one or more failed IVF cycles in the past.

6.    It is believed that assisted hatching can improve the chances of embryo implantation and lead to higher pregnancy rates in some patients.

 It may be particularly beneficial for cases with factors such as advanced maternal age, poor egg or embryo quality, or a thick zona pellucida.

7.   Procedure Timing: Assisted hatching is typically performed on the third day of embryo development.

8.    It can also be done on previously frozen embryos.

 The procedure is performed by embryologists using specialized techniques and equipment.

Overall, assisted hatching is used in fertility treatments to assist embryos in breaking free from the zona pellucida and increase the chances of successful implantation and pregnancy in couples undergoing IVF.

 It is often recommended for cases with specific factors that may affect embryo implantation.

Is Assisted Hatching recommended for all IVF cycles?

Assisted hatching is a technique used in in vitro fertilization (IVF) to assist couples who have had one or more failed IVF cycles in the past.

 It involves creating a small defect in the outer layer of the embryo, known as the zona pellucida, to facilitate the hatching process and improve the chances of successful implantation.

While assisted hatching can increase pregnancy rates and improve implantation rates for some individuals, it is not recommended for all IVF cycles.

 The decision to use assisted hatching is typically based on specific factors such as:

·        Advanced maternal age: Women who are older than 37 or have advanced maternal age may benefit from assisted hatching.

·        Poor embryo quality: Cases with poor quality embryos, such as excessive fragmentation or slow rates of cell division, may be considered for assisted hatching.

·        Multiple failed IVF cycles: Couples who have experienced two or more failed IVF cycles may be recommended assisted hatching.

·        Poor prognosis: Individuals with a poor prognosis for IVF, such as embryos lacking sufficient energy to complete the hatching process, may be candidates for assisted hatching.

It's important to note that the success of assisted hatching is dependent on the experience and technique of the embryologist performing the procedure.

 While it has been found to improve clinical pregnancy rates in some cases, there is still a lack of research correlating the success of assisted hatching with live pregnancies or decreased miscarriages.

In summary, assisted hatching is not recommended for all IVF cycles. It is primarily used for individuals who have specific factors such as advanced maternal age, poor embryo quality, or multiple failed IVF cycles. The decision to use assisted hatching should be made in consultation with a fertility doctor, taking into consideration individual circumstances and the expertise of the clinic performing the procedure.

What are the risks associated with Assisted Hatching?

Assisted hatching is an additional procedure that can be performed in patients who are undergoing in vitro fertilization (IVF) treatment. The procedure involves creating a small crack in the zona pellucida, the hard outer layer of cells surrounding the embryo, to help the embryo "hatch" from its "shell" and implant in the uterus, leading to higher pregnancy rates in some patients.

However, there are some risks associated with assisted hatching, including:

·        Complications for the mother: Assisted hatching can cause complications within the mother such as nausea, vomiting, swelling of the face, water retention, and headaches.

·        Lethal damage to the embryo: One possible risk with assisted hatching is that the embryo will become lethally damaged. This damage could occur before embryo transfer or during the procedure itself.

·        Increased risk of identical twins: There is a slight increased risk for identical twins in embryos that have undergone assisted hatching.

·        Poor IVF outcomes: Assisted hatching can sometimes damage the embryo or its internal blastomeres, leading to poor IVF outcomes.

·        Increased risk of twin pregnancy: A number of studies have found that assisted hatching can increase the chance of a twin pregnancy, which carries a higher risk to mother and babies.

It is important to note that the risks associated with assisted hatching are generally low, and the procedure can be beneficial for some patients. The decision to undergo assisted hatching should be made on a case-by-case basis, taking into account the individual patient's medical history and fertility treatment plan.

Does Assisted Hatching increase the chances of having twins or multiples?

Assisted hatching is a technique used in IVF to improve the success rate of the procedure. It involves cracking the embryonic shell before implantation, which may improve implantation and, therefore, pregnancy.

 However, studies have shown that assisted hatching can increase the risk of multiple births, including twins.

 The risk of identical twins is slightly increased through assisted hatching, and the defect created on the zona pellucida must be the right size to avoid this risk.

 Nonetheless, the risk of twinning is low, occurring less than 1% of the time.

 It is important to note that assisted hatching is unnecessary in most instances, and a doctor may only request the extra step if multiple IVF cycles fail

What is the success rate of Assisted Hatching?

Assisted hatching is a technique used in in vitro fertilization (IVF) that involves cracking the embryonic shell before implantation to improve implantation and pregnancy rates.

 Here are some findings from various studies on the success rate of assisted hatching:

·        In most cases, assisted hatching has the same success rate as regular IVF, which varies with reports of as much as a 50% live birth rate.

·        A historical cohort study found that clinical pregnancy and implantation rates were higher for a group having assisted hatching protocol compared to a non-hatched group.

·        A systematic review and meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials found that assisted hatching techniques may improve clinical pregnancy rates, particularly in poor prognosis patients.

·        Assisted hatching has been found to improve clinical pregnancy rate in poor prognosis patients, according to the American Society for Reproductive Medicine.

·        Pregnancy rates for IVF procedures with assisted hatching have been shown in some published studies to be higher than for IVF without hatching.

·        A study found a possible increase in live birth rate with assisted hatching compared to without, although the difference was not statistically significant.

Overall, assisted hatching can increase pregnancy rates, particularly in poor prognosis patients, but it is unnecessary in most instances.

How does Assisted Hatching affect the quality of embryos?

Assisted hatching is a lab technique that involves creating a small hole in the zona pellucida, the hard outer layer of cells surrounding an embryo, to help it hatch and implant in the uterus.

 Here is how assisted hatching affects the quality of embryos:

Positive effects:

·        Assisted hatching can improve clinical pregnancy rates, particularly in poor prognosis patients.

·        It can increase the implantation and pregnancy rate of in vitro fertilization (IVF)-embryo transfer (ET) .

·        It can be helpful for some couples with a poor prognosis whose embryos are thought to lack sufficient energy to complete the hatching process.

Negative effects:

·        Assisted hatching may be associated with damage to the embryo and damage to individual blastomeres, with a reduction in the pregnancy rates.

·        It can sometimes damage the embryo or its internal blastomeres, leading to poor IVF outcomes.

·        It is possible to damage embryos with hatching and lower the pregnancy rates.

Overall, assisted hatching can have positive effects on the quality of embryos, particularly in patients with poor prognosis, but it can also have negative effects and should be done expertly to minimize the risk of damage to the embryo.

Are there any age restrictions for patients undergoing Assisted Hatching?

According to the American Society for Reproductive Medicine, assisted hatching may be indicated for women with advanced maternal age (older than 38), two or more failed IVF cycles, and poor embryo quality.

 Other sources suggest that advanced maternal age is a key factor in determining whether assisted hatching is recommended, with some guidelines setting the age threshold at 37 years or older.

 Therefore, it appears that there are age restrictions for patients undergoing assisted hatching, with the specific age threshold varying slightly depending on the source.

What should patients expect during and after the Assisted Hatching procedure?



Assisted hatching is an additional procedure that can be performed in patients who are undergoing in vitro fertilization (IVF) treatment.

 During IVF, embryos are created and surrounded by a hard outer layer of cells called the zona pellucida. The embryo must break free of this “shell” in order to implant into the uterus and develop into a pregnancy. Assisted hatching is a procedure where a small crack is created in the zona pellucida to help the embryo “hatch” from its “shell” .

 The procedure is generally performed on the third day of embryo development using a laser to create a very small hole in the zona pellucida.

The following are some things that patients can expect during and after the assisted hatching procedure:

·        Before the procedure, the patient will be given anesthesia to help them relax and avoid discomfort.

·        The embryologist will use a specialized holding pipette to hold the embryo in place while using a laser to create a small hole in the zona pellucida.

·        After the procedure, the embryo will be returned to the incubator to continue developing.

·        Patients may experience some mild cramping or discomfort after the procedure, but this should go away within a few hours.

·        Patients should avoid strenuous activity and sexual intercourse for a few days after the procedure.

·        Patients will need to return to the clinic for a follow-up appointment to monitor the embryo's development and determine if implantation has occurred.

It is important to note that while some studies suggest that assisted hatching can improve pregnancy rates in certain patients, there is no conclusive evidence that it is effective for most fertility patients.

Patients should discuss the potential risks and benefits of the procedure with their doctor before deciding whether to undergo assisted hatching.