Laser Assisted Hatching

Laser Assisted Hatching

Laser Assisted hatching is a technology which helps embryos to get attached to the womb of a woman. Pregnancy will not take place until the human embryo hatches.

It has been observed that pregnancy rates for IVF with assisted hatching are higher as compared to those done without hatching. The rate of embryo implantation and pregnancy is much higher with the use of this technique.

Why is it required?

It is likely that couples will go through depression after the IVF and ICSI treatment if there is a failure in the process by which healthy embryos could not be implanted in the womb. Usually, the embryos are transferred on the second or third day back to the womb, when they are in 4 cells or 8 cell stages.

Once they are placed back into the womb, they keep on growing till day 5 which is five days post oocyte retrieval. At this time, the embryos are multicellular and are segregated into a cell mass in the inside and there is a cover on the exterior. It is known as Trophectoderm. This embryo is referred to as a blastocyst. The blastocyst starts expanding and cracks open the cover from the zona. It comes out in this manner and this process is called as “hatching”

Zona pellucida will harden during the cleavage of the early fetus. This is a normal development with an aim to keep the cells in the egg safely together. For in vitro fertilization and micro insemination to take place the eggs are removed taking it away from the natural environment. In this procedure, egg shells tend to harden faster as compared to normally fertilized eggs.

Women who are over the age of 37 will usually tend to produce eggs which have a harder zona pellucida as compared to younger women. The same also goes for women with a high level of follicle stimulating hormone (FSH). This can be diagnosed from a blood sample.

The problem which is concerning is that the harder zona pellucida is a threat to the egg to hatch which will prevent in getting it attached to the woman’s womb. Hatching of the egg is necessary to become pregnant. Eggs from older women have problems hatching and hence some older women face problems in getting pregnant. In “assisted hatching”, the zona is cut and this is done when the embryos are at the 4 cell which is the day 2 or in day 3 stage which is a 6-8 cell. These embryos are placed back into the womb. This cut” weakens the zona and assists the hatching process. In turn, this leads to higher chances of pregnancy.

To sum up the above, assisted hatching becomes very important in IVF when the following indications are seen:

Age factor : Couples going for IVF where the female partner is above the age of 37

Quality and Quantity of egg : couples in which the women’s day 3 follicle stimulating hormone is elevated

Quality of embryo : couples going for IVF having poor quality of embryo

Zona factor : couples going for IVF with embryos that have a thick outer shell (zona pellucida)

Previous failure: couples who have had repeated IVF failure.

Treatment procedure at Raipur, India

Laser assisted hatching is one of the several methods to help the fertilized egg hatch and get attached to the woman’s womb. This process weakens an area of zona pellucida in a safe manner.

The cut can be made in three different ways:

Mechanical Hatching: In this the embryo cover is slit open mechanically with the help of a thin, long drawn out glass needle. This is done by taking help from a machine called the micromanipulator.

Chemical Hatching: This is a process where the zona is opened by touching it with a chemical known as an Acid Tyrode solution. This is also done with the help of the micromanipulator.

Laser Hatching: This is the latest method which was introduced in 1992. Currently, the In Gasp Diode Laser throws out a laser beam which is used to cut the zona. It is a simple process performed with the help of a button on the laser machine.

While all three methods give equal results in experienced hands, it has been observed that laser hatching is the preferred method. Not only is this process simple and accurate, but it is also reproducible. At the same time, any embryologist can do the job well.

Once the fertilized egg is treated along with laser assisted hatching, the embryo is transferred in the womb of the woman.

Usually, this process is applicable to the following type of patients:

1.Women patients usually in the age group of 35- 38

2.Patients having zona thickness more than 15 microns

3.Patients who have faced more than one unsuccessful attempt at IVF/ICSI.

4.Patients who have their extra embryos frozen. Before the embryo transfer is done, the frozen thawed embryos need to be hatched.

5.Patients who are undergoing pre implantation genetic diagnosis.

Advantages of Assisted Hatching

Many couples prefer to go for assisted hatching during their IVF procedures. This is because of the benefits associated with this process:

Fewer embryos required for transfer.

Increased implantation success rates

Allow for blastocyst culture.

Success Rate in india

Research has thrown up data which highlights instances where chances of pregnancy have doubled with the help of assisted laser hatching.

At Raipur highest standards of medicine are upheld and all guidelines are followed. The success rate usually depends on the individual patient medical characteristics as well as the treatment approaches. Age of the woman also plays a role in the success of the treatment. There are various success stories available for reference.

Treatment Cost

Raipur IVF has been the pioneers in introducing assisted reproduction and has been one of the first clinics in India specializing in various forms of infertility treatments using assisted means of reproduction.

At the Raipur center, infertility is diagnosed and treated with the latest methods in technology and training. They offer a gamut of medical and surgical options ranging from simple treatment to the latest and most complicated methods in treating infertility.

Raipur Fertility Centre is providing world-class treatment and their excellence can be measured by their success rate. With a mission of helping couples to create dreams, they provide get low-cost treatments with the best technology and team. The hospital is very clear in its target of providing its patient’s world-class treatment at a fraction of the cost available anywhere else.