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Human Reproduction, Vol. 16, No. 9, 1959-1964, September 2001
© 2001 European Society of Human Reproduction and Embryology

Laser zona pellucida thinning—an alternative approach to assisted hatching

D.A. Blake1,3,3, A.S. Forsberg1, B.R. Johansson2 and M. Wikland1

1 Fertilitetscentrum, Carlander's Hospital, Göteborg, 2 Institute of Anatomy and Cell Biology, University of Göteborg, Sweden and 3 Glycoscience Research Centre, Auckland University of Technology, Auckland, New Zealand

BACKGROUND: The purpose of this study was to assess the efficacy and hatching characteristics of in-vitro cultured human embryos subjected to laser zona pellucida thinning. METHOD: Zona thinning was performed on 110 embryos using a non-contact 1.48 µm diode laser and the hatch rate in vitro was compared with 42 control embryos. Variation of zona thickness and degree of zona expansion was assessed. Scanning electron microscopy was performed on embryos entrapped during hatching to identify the site of hatching. RESULTS: The rate of hatching was significantly higher in laser thinned blastocysts compared with control embryos (68 versus 33% respectively, P < 0.01). Laser thinning increased the variation of zona thickness in embryos from 11.6–27.3%. Natural zona thinning occurred in 92% of laser thinned hatching blastocysts and 100% of control embryos. CONCLUSION: These results suggest that laser zona thinning is effective and may provide significant advantages over conventional assisted hatching techniques, which create holes.

Key words: assisted hatching/in-vitro fertilization/laser/micromanipulation/zona pellucida

3 To whom correspondence should be addressed at: Glycoscience Research Centre, Auckland University of Technology, Private Bag 92006, Auckland 1020, New Zealand. Email: debbie.blake{at}aut.ac.nz


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