Assisted Hatching

Hatching of the blastocyst, occurring on the 5th or 6th day after insemination, is a prerequisite for the implantation of the embryo to the uterus. Hatching defines the phenomena by which the blastocyst budds from and finally leaves the glycoprotein membrane (zona pellucida) enclosing it. Assisted hatching by either thinning or opening of the zona pellucida is performed in the laboratory before transfer to facilitate the implantation of the embryos. Assisted HAtching (AHA) can be performed mechanically with the help of a glass microneedle, chemically with acid tyrode or with a specially designed laser. We preferentially use laser for assisted hatching in our center because no chemicals are to be added in the culture medium of the embryo and it is safer, as the laser is controlled by a computer having a microsecond precision.

Mechanical AHA: with the help of a glass microneedle, a V-shaped or squared opening is made on the zona pellucida.		Chemical AHA: acid Tyrode’s solution is used to create the opening through the zona pellucida.
AHA with a laser: the zona opening is very quick and easy. This is the method used in our center.