Comparison of laser-assisted hatching and acidified Tyrode's hatching by evaluation of blastocyst development rates in sibling embryos: a prospective randomized trial.
OBJECTIVE
To assess two zona drilling methods in terms of blastocyst development rates using sister embryos.


METHODS
Prospective, randomized study. Sister embryos of 14 patients were randomly assigned on day 3 to acidified Tyrode's zona drilling or to laser zona drilling. After biopsy, subsequent embryo culture until the blastocyst stage (day 5) was performed.


METHODS
Private fertility center.


METHODS
Patients undergoing IVF-preimplantation genetic diagnosis.


METHODS
Embryo biopsy using either laser-assisted hatching or acidified Tyrode's hatching on sibling embryos and subsequent blastocyst development evaluation.


METHODS
Evaluation of blastocyst development in terms of degree of expansion and cell number in the inner cell mass and trophectoderm.


RESULTS
Blastocyst development rates (and blastocyst quality) were similarly high in both the acidified Tyrode's hatching group and the laser-assisted hatching group.


CONCLUSIONS
Laser hatching does not impair embryonic development to the blastocyst stage, demonstrating that laser-assisted hatching is a suitable alternative to the use of acidified Tyrode's solution for zona drilling.
Jones
Amy E
AE
Reproductive Biology Associates, Atlanta, Georgia, USA. hesikaij@aol.com
Wright
Graham
G
Kort
Hilton I
HI
Straub
Robert J
RJ
Nagy
Zsolt P
ZP
D000328:Adult; D001755:Blastocyst / Q000166:cytology / Q000187:drug effects / Q000502:physiology* / Q000528:radiation effects; D046149:Embryo Culture Techniques; D047108:Embryonic Development / Q000187:drug effects / Q000528:radiation effects; D005260:Female; D005307:Fertilization in Vitro; D006801:Humans; D006863:Hydrogen-Ion Concentration; D007552:Isotonic Solutions / Q000737:chemistry / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D007834:Lasers; D011247:Pregnancy; D018873:Pregnancy Rate; D019836:Preimplantation Diagnosis; D011446:Prospective Studies; D027724:Reproductive Techniques, Assisted; D015044:Zona Pellucida / Q000187:drug effects* / Q000528:radiation effects*
D007552:Isotonic Solutions; C037692:Tyrode's solution