Assisted hatching does not enhance IVF success in good-prognosis patients.
OBJECTIVE
The role of assisted hatching in good-prognosis IVF patients was evaluated in a prospective, randomized, controlled pilot study, which was followed by a retrospective observational series.


METHODS
After assisted hatching was proved successful in a mouse embryo study, 20 good-prognosis IVF patients were randomly assigned to either assisted hatching (13) or no assisted hatching (7; the controls). Following this series, 27 good-prognosis IVF patients were retrospectively evaluated to determine the outcome with assisted hatching.


RESULTS
In the prospective study, clinical pregnancies resulted from 3 (23%) of 13 patients in the hatching group, compared to 3 (43%) of 7 in the control group. Implantation rates were similar: 9.6% in the hatching group and 10.7% in the controls. In the retrospective series, the 11.1% implantation rate with assisted hatching was significantly less than the 42.9% implantation rate seen with traditional IVF.


CONCLUSIONS
Implantation and pregnancy rates are high in young women undergoing traditional IVF. Assisted hatching is not beneficial in these patients.
Hurst
B S
BS
Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, University of Colorado Health Sciences Center, Denver 80262, USA.
Tucker
K E
KE
Awoniyi
C A
CA
Schlaff
W D
WD
D000328:Adult; D000818:Animals; D001755:Blastocyst / Q000502:physiology*; D010064:Embryo Implantation; D004624:Embryo Transfer / Q000379:methods*; D005260:Female; D005307:Fertilization in Vitro; D005640:Follicle Stimulating Hormone / Q000494:pharmacology; D006801:Humans; D006863:Hydrogen-Ion Concentration; D007552:Isotonic Solutions; D008297:Male; D051379:Mice; D008846:Micromanipulation; D010062:Ovulation Induction; D010865:Pilot Projects; D011247:Pregnancy; D011256:Pregnancy Outcome; D018873:Pregnancy Rate; D011379:Prognosis; D011446:Prospective Studies; D011786:Quality Control; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D015044:Zona Pellucida / Q000502:physiology
D007552:Isotonic Solutions; C037692:Tyrode's solution; D005640:Follicle Stimulating Hormone