1
|
Xu W, Yu Y, Li S. Dual laser-assisted hatching: an effective technique to salvage low-grade cleavage-stage embryos and harvest day 7 blastocysts. Lasers Med Sci 2023; 38:226. [PMID: 37776389 PMCID: PMC10543824 DOI: 10.1007/s10103-023-03898-9] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/30/2023] [Accepted: 09/26/2023] [Indexed: 10/02/2023]
Abstract
To investigate whether repeating laser-assisted hatching (LAH) procedure on day 6 low-grade cleavage-stage embryos (LGCEs) helps blastulation. A total of 579 cycles with LGCEs from 2019 to 2022 was retrospectively reviewed. In 323 cycles, single LAH producing small holes (10 μm) was performed on LGCEs on day 4 (D4-LAH). In 256 cycles with persistent LGCEs despite D4-LAH, a repeat LAH procedure was performed on day 6 (Dual-LAH) with a bigger hole (30 μm). We compared day 7 blastocyst formation rate, usable blastocyst rate, and good grade blastocyst rate from these day 6 LGCEs between the two groups. Compared to the D4-LAH group, the Dual-LAH group had both higher day 7 blastocyst formation rate (9.4% vs. 3.0%, p < 0.001) and higher day 7 usable blastocyst rates (7.4% vs. 2.1%, p < 0.001). For persistent LGCEs despite single LAH, performing a repeat LAH on day 6 increased day 7 blastocyst formation rate.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Weihai Xu
- Center for Reproductive Medicine, Department of Reproductive Endocrinology, Zhejiang Provincial People's Hospital, Affiliated People's Hospital, Hangzhou Medical College, 158 Shangtang Road, Hangzhou, 310014, People's Republic of China
| | - Yiqi Yu
- Center for Reproductive Medicine, Department of Reproductive Endocrinology, Zhejiang Provincial People's Hospital, Affiliated People's Hospital, Hangzhou Medical College, 158 Shangtang Road, Hangzhou, 310014, People's Republic of China
| | - Shishi Li
- Center for Reproductive Medicine, Department of Reproductive Endocrinology, Zhejiang Provincial People's Hospital, Affiliated People's Hospital, Hangzhou Medical College, 158 Shangtang Road, Hangzhou, 310014, People's Republic of China.
| |
Collapse
|
2
|
Xu W, Zhang L, Zhang L, Jin Z, Wu L, Li S, Shu J. Laser-assisted hatching in lower grade cleavage stage embryos improves blastocyst formation: results from a retrospective study. J Ovarian Res 2021; 14:94. [PMID: 34261510 PMCID: PMC8281458 DOI: 10.1186/s13048-021-00844-7] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/24/2020] [Accepted: 07/02/2021] [Indexed: 11/17/2022] Open
Abstract
Background Laser-assisted hatching (LAH) has been widely applied to facilitate blastocyst hatching in IVF-ET treatment, however, the effect of LAH on subsequent development and clinical outcomes of the lower grade cleavage stage embryos (LGCE) remains unknown. Our study aimed at evaluating the effect of LAH on blastocyst formation and the clinical pregnancy outcomes of LGCE embryos after transfer. Methods A total of 608 cycles of IVF/ICSI treatment from November 2017 to September 2019 were included in our study as follows: 296 in the LAH group and 312 in the N-LAH group. The total blastocyst rate, usable blastocyst rate, good-grade blastocyst rate and clinical pregnancy rate were statistically compared between the two groups. Results The total blastocyst rate (50.7% vs 40.2%, P < 0.001), usable blastocyst rate (31.0% vs 18.6%, P < 0.001) were significantly higher in the LAH group than those in the N-LAH group. After analysis of generalized estimating equations, LAH was positively correlated with the blastocyst rate (B = 0.201, OR 95% CI = 1.074–1.393, P = 0.002), usable blastocyst rate (B = 0.478, OR 95% CI = 1.331–1.955, P < 0.001). However, the clinical pregnancy rate after blastocyst transfer did not differ between LAH group and N-LAH group (49.4% vs 40.0%, P > 0.05, respectively). Conclusions A higher proportion of total blastocysts and usable blastocysts can be obtained by LAH in LGCE, which may be beneficial to the outcome of the IVF/ICSI-ET cycle.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Weihai Xu
- Department of Reproductive Endocrinology, Zhejiang Provincial People's Hospital, Hangzhou Medical College, 310000, Hangzhou, P.R. China
| | - Ling Zhang
- Department of Reproductive Endocrinology, Zhejiang Provincial People's Hospital, Hangzhou Medical College, 310000, Hangzhou, P.R. China
| | - Lin Zhang
- Department of Reproductive Endocrinology, Zhejiang Provincial People's Hospital, Hangzhou Medical College, 310000, Hangzhou, P.R. China
| | - Zhen Jin
- Department of Reproductive Endocrinology, Zhejiang Provincial People's Hospital, Hangzhou Medical College, 310000, Hangzhou, P.R. China
| | - Limei Wu
- Department of Reproductive Endocrinology, Zhejiang Provincial People's Hospital, Hangzhou Medical College, 310000, Hangzhou, P.R. China
| | - Shishi Li
- Department of Reproductive Endocrinology, Zhejiang Provincial People's Hospital, Hangzhou Medical College, 310000, Hangzhou, P.R. China.
| | - Jing Shu
- Department of Reproductive Endocrinology, Zhejiang Provincial People's Hospital, Hangzhou Medical College, 310000, Hangzhou, P.R. China.
| |
Collapse
|
3
|
Davidson LM, Liu Y, Griffiths T, Jones C, Coward K. Laser technology in the ART laboratory: a narrative review. Reprod Biomed Online 2019; 38:725-739. [DOI: 10.1016/j.rbmo.2018.12.011] [Citation(s) in RCA: 18] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/17/2018] [Revised: 11/01/2018] [Accepted: 12/11/2018] [Indexed: 11/27/2022]
|
4
|
Padula F, Capriglione S, Iaconianni P, Gatti S, Lippa A, Minutolo SE, Giannarelli D, Giorlandino C. Laser-assisted hatching of human embryos: may two alternative approaches (thinning versus drilling) impact on implant rate? Lasers Med Sci 2017; 32:1663-1666. [PMID: 28547074 DOI: 10.1007/s10103-017-2242-6] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/30/2015] [Accepted: 05/19/2017] [Indexed: 11/30/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Francesco Padula
- Department of Prenatal Diagnosis, Altamedica, Fetal-Maternal Medical Centre, Rome, Italy
| | - Stella Capriglione
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology, Campus Bio Medico University, Via Alvaro del Portillo, 200, 00128, Rome, Italy.
| | - Paola Iaconianni
- Department of Reproductive Medicine, Altamedica, Fetal-Maternal Medical Centre, Rome, Italy
| | - Simona Gatti
- Department of Reproductive Medicine, Altamedica, Fetal-Maternal Medical Centre, Rome, Italy
| | - Assunta Lippa
- Department of Reproductive Medicine, Altamedica, Fetal-Maternal Medical Centre, Rome, Italy
| | | | - Diana Giannarelli
- Scientific Direction, Biostatistical Unit, Regina Elena National Cancer Institute, Rome, Italy
| | - Claudio Giorlandino
- Department of Prenatal Diagnosis, Altamedica, Fetal-Maternal Medical Centre, Rome, Italy
| |
Collapse
|
5
|
Wang EH, Wang AC, Wang BS, Li B. Outcomes of vitrified-warmed cleavage-stage embryo hatching after in vitro laser-assisted zona pellucida thinning in patients. Biomed Rep 2016; 5:376-382. [PMID: 27602216 DOI: 10.3892/br.2016.716] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/18/2016] [Accepted: 07/08/2016] [Indexed: 11/05/2022] Open
Abstract
The aim of the present study was to determine whether the size of the zona pellucida (ZP) thinning area by laser-assisted hatching affected the potential development of vitrified-warmed embryos. A total of 196 vitrified-warmed cleavage-stage embryos (from 49 patients, four sister embryos per patient) were used in the study, i.e., four sister embryos from each patient were randomly assigned to four groups: a control group of embryos that were not zona-manipulated (zona intact, group A); one experimental group of embryos in which a quarter of the zona pellucida was thinned using laser-assisted ZP thinning (group B); a second experimental group of embryos in which half of ZP was thinned (group C); and a third group in which two-thirds of the ZP was thinned (group D). Subsequent blastocyst development was assessed. Microscopy was performed to study the hatching process of the embryos after zona thinning. The blastocyst formation rates were 71.43% in group A, 67.35% in group B, 65.31% in group C, and 51.02% in group D (groups B-D vs. group A, P=0.661, P=0.515, P=0.038, respectively). The rates of complete hatching were 30.61% in group A, 38.78% in group B, 61.22% in group C, and 48.98% in group D (groups B-D vs. group A, P=0.396, P=0.002, P=0.063, respectively). For a subgroup of patients, there was a significant difference in the complete hatching in all the groups for women aged <35 years (P=0.011), and there was a significant difference in the complete hatching in all the groups for secondary infertility women (P=0.022). There was no significant difference in the blastocyst formation rates in the different groups of women aged ≥35 years (P=0.340). In addition, there was no significant difference in the complete hatching in the different groups among women aged ≥35 years (P=0.492). The results of the present study showed that in vitrified-warmed embryo transfers at the cleavage-stage, and the two-thirds zona pellucida thinning group demonstrated a significantly decreased blastocyst formation rate compared with the control group, while the half zona pellucida thinning group demonstrated a significantly increased complete hatching rate compared with the control group, which may have a high value in clinical application.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- En-Hua Wang
- Department of Genetic Teaching and Research Section, Shandong Medical College, Linyi, Shandong 276000, P.R. China
| | - An-Cong Wang
- Department of Reproductive Medicine, Linyi People's Hospital, Linyi, Shandong 276003, P.R. China; Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Linyi People's Hospital, Linyi, Shandong 276003, P.R. China
| | - Bao-Song Wang
- Department of Reproductive Medicine, Linyi People's Hospital, Linyi, Shandong 276003, P.R. China
| | - Bin Li
- Department of Reproductive Medicine, Linyi People's Hospital, Linyi, Shandong 276003, P.R. China
| |
Collapse
|
6
|
Clinical outcomes of vitrified-thawed embryo transfer using a pull and cut straw method. Obstet Gynecol Sci 2013; 56:182-9. [PMID: 24327999 PMCID: PMC3784120 DOI: 10.5468/ogs.2013.56.3.182] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/30/2012] [Revised: 02/01/2013] [Accepted: 03/18/2013] [Indexed: 11/23/2022] Open
Abstract
Objective To compare the clinical outcomes of patients with vitrified-thawed embryos transferred using either the 0.25 mL straw method and the pull and cut straw (PNC) method. To evaluate the clinical outcomes of patients with transferred embryos that underwent assisted hatching at the cleaved embryo (day 3) or the blastocyst (day 5) stage. Methods The study population consisted of women who underwent vitrified-warmed embryo transfer between May 2000 and December 2011 and assisted hatching was performed after warming of embryos. Cycles of thawing between assisted hatching treated and non treated groups were compared for survival and pregnancy rates. Results The PNC vitrification method improved survival and pregnancy rates in partial lysed embryos. While assisted hatching did not affect the developmental and clinical pregnancy rates of the vitrified-warmed blastocyst group, it did increase the pregnancy rate of poor quality vitrified-warmed cleaved embryos. Conclusion These results suggest that PNC may increase the number of clinical pregnancies via the vitrification of both cleaved embryos and blastocysts. In addition, selective assisted hatching treatment of embryos that show a poor prognosis after warming may increase the rate of clinical pregnancy.
Collapse
|
7
|
Rozhkova IN, Brusentsev EY, Amstislavsky SY. Coats of preimplantation mammalian embryos as a target of reproductive technologies. Russ J Dev Biol 2012. [DOI: 10.1134/s1062360412050074] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/22/2022]
|
8
|
Das M, Holzer HE. Recurrent implantation failure: gamete and embryo factors. Fertil Steril 2012; 97:1021-7. [DOI: 10.1016/j.fertnstert.2012.02.029] [Citation(s) in RCA: 70] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/02/2012] [Accepted: 02/21/2012] [Indexed: 11/15/2022]
|
9
|
Hammadeh ME, Fischer-Hammadeh C, Ali KR. Assisted hatching in assisted reproduction: a state of the art. J Assist Reprod Genet 2011; 28:119-28. [PMID: 21042844 PMCID: PMC3059528 DOI: 10.1007/s10815-010-9495-3] [Citation(s) in RCA: 74] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/16/2010] [Accepted: 10/11/2010] [Indexed: 11/26/2022] Open
Abstract
The World Health Organization estimates that one in six couples experience some delay in conception and an increasing number require treatment by the assisted conception (AC) procedures of in vitro fertilization (IVF) or intracytoplasmic sperm injection (ICSI).The implantation rate of embryos resulting from in vitro fertilization cycles is generally less than 20%. The exposure of oocytes and embryos to the artificial conditions of in vitro culture may have negative effects on the embryo's ability to undergo normal hatching, resulting in low rates of implantation following IVF and embryo transfer. Human embryos resulting from superovulation develop more slowly in vitro compared to embryos in vivo, manifest a relatively high degree of cytogenetic abnormalities and undergo cellular fragmentation. Artificially disrupting the zona pellucida is known as assisted hatching (AH) and there is some evidence that embryos that have undergone zona manipulation for assisted hatching tend to implant one day earlier than unhatched embryos. A variety of techniques have since been employed to assist embryo hatching, including partial mechanical zona dissection, zona drilling and zona thinning, making use of acid tyrodes, proteinases, piezon vibrator manipulators and lasers. This review will consider the impact of IVF conditions on zona pellucida physiology, zona hardening, different techniques of assisted hatching, who may benefit from assisted hatching and potential hazards.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Mohamad Eid Hammadeh
- Obstetrics and Gynaecology Department, Assisted Reproduction Technology Unit, University of Saarland, Homburg/Saar, Germany.
| | | | | |
Collapse
|
10
|
Saragusty J, Arav A. Current progress in oocyte and embryo cryopreservation by slow freezing and vitrification. Reproduction 2011; 141:1-19. [DOI: 10.1530/rep-10-0236] [Citation(s) in RCA: 328] [Impact Index Per Article: 25.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/08/2022]
Abstract
Preservation of female genetics is currently done primarily by means of oocyte and embryo cryopreservation. The field has seen much progress during its four-decade history, progress driven predominantly by research in humans, cows, and mice. Two basic cryopreservation techniques rule the field – controlled-rate freezing, the first to be developed, and vitrification, which, in recent years, has gained a foothold. While much progress has been achieved in human medicine, the cattle industry, and in laboratory animals, this is far from being the case for most other mammals and even less so for other vertebrates. The major strides and obstacles in human and other vertebrate oocyte and embryo cryopreservation will be reviewed here.
Collapse
|
11
|
Vajta G, Rienzi L, Bavister BD. Zona-free embryo culture: is it a viable option to improve pregnancy rates? Reprod Biomed Online 2010; 21:17-25. [PMID: 20466592 DOI: 10.1016/j.rbmo.2010.03.014] [Citation(s) in RCA: 34] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/07/2009] [Revised: 12/14/2009] [Accepted: 02/04/2010] [Indexed: 02/04/2023]
Abstract
Sporadic reports published during the previous decade have documented pregnancies achieved with transfer of zona-free human embryos. Although the overall efficiency seems to be good and some authors have suggested systematic application for special infertility problems, there have been only a few attempts to compare the benefits of zona-free embryo culture and transfer with the traditional approach using zona-intact embryos. So far, the majority of instances in which zona-free culture has been applied have occurred accidentally. This review summarizes the known functions of the zona pellucida, analyses natural and artificial situations where its function is compromised, including zona hardening and difficult hatching that seem to be related to in-vitro embryo culture, and discusses possible methods and timing for artificial zona removal. With the availability of in-vitro systems capable of replacing important functions of the zona pellucida, routine use of zona-free culture for the whole in-vitro period, after or even before fertilization, is a realistic possibility with potential additional benefits. Based on the increasing amount of animal studies, a systematic comparison is suggested that may eventually diminish the handicaps of the in-vitro situation and lead to simplification of manipulations as well as higher success rates after embryo transfer.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Gábor Vajta
- James Cook University, Cairns Campus, 20 Slate Close Brinsmead, Cairns QLD-4870, Australia.
| | | | | |
Collapse
|
12
|
Mouse blastocyst previtrification interventions and DNA integrity. Fertil Steril 2010; 93:1518-25. [DOI: 10.1016/j.fertnstert.2009.02.017] [Citation(s) in RCA: 15] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/27/2008] [Revised: 01/26/2009] [Accepted: 02/09/2009] [Indexed: 11/21/2022]
|
13
|
Feng HL, Hershlag A, Scholl GM, Cohen MA. A retroprospective study comparing three different assisted hatching techniques. Fertil Steril 2008; 91:1323-5. [PMID: 18394610 DOI: 10.1016/j.fertnstert.2008.02.133] [Citation(s) in RCA: 21] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/18/2007] [Revised: 02/19/2008] [Accepted: 02/19/2008] [Indexed: 11/16/2022]
Abstract
The purpose of this study was to determine the effect of four different assisted hatching techniques on pregnancy rates in women with prior IVF failure in fresh IVF cycles. The results suggested that assisted hatching utilizing laser, chemical, or microsurgical techniques increases both implantation and pregnancy rates.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Huai L Feng
- Center for Human Reproduction, North Shore University Hospital, NYU School of Medicine, Manhasset, New York 11030, USA.
| | | | | | | |
Collapse
|