Hatching rate: an optimal discriminator for the assessment of single-blastomere biopsy.
OBJECTIVE
In order to determine an optimal marker to discriminate embryo injury following single-blastomere embryo biopsy, mouse embryos were examined for rates of blastocyst formation, hatching, implantation, and fetal development following single-blastomere biopsy.


RESULTS
Early studies of single-blastomere biopsy (1-8 series) resulted in similar rates of blastocyst formation (P > 0.05) but a lower rate of hatching of biopsied (n = 140) versus control (nonbiopsied) (n = 145) embryos (78.6 vs 95.2%; p < 0.01). Subsequent experience (9-13 series) eliminated this difference between biopsied (n = 145) and control embryos (n = 133) (95.9 vs 94.0%; P > 0.05). Embryo transfer of hatching blastocysts of biopsied (n = 100) and nonbiopsied control (n = 100) groups resulted in equivalent rate of fetal development (70.0 vs 68.0%; p > 0.05).


CONCLUSIONS
The hatching rate appeared to be a simple, sensitive, and reliable method to evaluate the single-blastomere biopsy technique.
Cui
K H
KH
Department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology, University of Adelaide, Queen Elizabeth Hospital, Woodville, Australia.
Verma
P J
PJ
Matthews
C D
CD
D000818:Animals; D001707:Biopsy, Needle / Q000379:methods*; D001757:Blastomeres / Q000166:cytology*; D046508:Culture Techniques; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D051379:Mice; D008808:Mice, Inbred CBA; D011247:Pregnancy