Yet another advanced scientific solution for a couples aspiring to have their own baby.There are plenty of questions for anyone undergoing infertility treatment, especially when there is no success after repeated consultations and treatment.
It could be due to abnormalities in the egg, abnormalities of the sperm or an improper selection of the embryo to transfer into the uterus or an issue in the uterus (endometrium), imbalance in the hormones etc.One such cause is a thickened or non-uniform zona pellucida layer around the egg.What is Zona Pellucida?Soon after fertilization of the egg by the male sperm, the formed embryo starts growing and eventually forms cells that make up a protective shell around the embryo and this is called zona pellucida.
The embryo passes into the uterus after fertilization and naturally breaks out of its shell, expands and then implants into the wall of the uterus where the foetal development occurs.Sometimes, the zona pellucida layer fails to break preventing the embryo from implantation and hence there could be a missed chance to conceive.What is Assisted Hatching?Assisted hatching is one of the assisted reproductive procedures for women who have repeated failed IVF cycles or various other unidentified problems that could prevent pregnancy.
The procedure which helps to break a thickened zona pellucida in-vitro to help with subsequent implantation is called Assisted Hatching.Who require Assisted Hatching procedures?● Women with previous failed IVF cycles.
Only those with other medical conditions which reduce the chances of conceiving and are undergoing an IVF procedure are recommended to for this procedure.● Women with age >35yr● Frozen embryo transfer where the chemicals used to preserve the embryo might thicken the outer shell of the embryo.● Increased Follicle-stimulating Hormone levels on 2nd day of the menstrual cycle.● Zona pellucida with a thickness of >15umVarious Methods of Assisted HatchingThere are various methods for Assisted Hatching:● Mechanical methods:Method 1: This is done as a part of the IVF procedure before the embryo is transferred into the uterus.
This helps to make the zona pellucida layer thinner and easier to hatch naturally.● LASER ASSISTED HATCHING:In this technique, a diode laser is used to break open a part of the zona layer.