Laser assisted hatching in good prognosis patients undergoing in vitro fertilization-embryo transfer: a randomized controlled trial.
OBJECTIVE
To evaluate whether assisted hatching improves clinical outcomes of embryo transfers to good prognosis patients, defined as patients < or =39 years with normal follicle-stimulating hormone (FSH) and E(2) levels, no more than one previous unsuccessful cycle of in vitro fertilization (IVF)-embryo transfer, and good embryo quality.


METHODS
Prospective randomized controlled trial.


METHODS
Private assisted reproductive technology (ART) center.


METHODS
One hundred ninety-nine good prognosis patients undergoing IVF-embryo transfer.


METHODS
In vitro fertilization followed by embryo transfer on day 3 after oocyte retrieval with or without assisted hatching using a 1,480-nm wavelength infrared laser.


METHODS
Clinical intrauterine pregnancy, spontaneous pregnancy loss, and live birth.


RESULTS
Rates of clinical intrauterine pregnancy with fetal cardiac activity (53% vs. 54% per cycle), spontaneous pregnancy loss (13% vs. 16% per pregnancy), and live birth (47% vs. 46% per cycle) were very similar between treatment cycles with laser-assisted hatching and control cycles in which embryos were transferred without assisted hatching. There were no significant differences between treatment and control groups in any measured clinical outcome parameters.


CONCLUSIONS
Assisted hatching does not improve clinical outcomes among good prognosis patients.
Sagoskin
Arthur W
AW
Shady Grove Fertility Reproductive Science Center, Rockville, Maryland 20850, USA.
Levy
Michael J
MJ
Tucker
Michael J
MJ
Richter
Kevin S
KS
Widra
Eric A
EA
D000328:Adult; D004624:Embryo Transfer / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D005260:Female; D005307:Fertilization in Vitro / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D006801:Humans; D007247:Infertility, Female / Q000453:epidemiology* / Q000628:therapy*; D053685:Laser Therapy; D008396:Maryland / Q000453:epidemiology; D042282:Microdissection / Q000379:methods / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D008846:Micromanipulation / Q000379:methods / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D017063:Outcome Assessment, Health Care; D011247:Pregnancy; D011256:Pregnancy Outcome / Q000453:epidemiology*; D011379:Prognosis; D016896:Treatment Outcome