What is Hatching?
Hatching is an integral part of the pregnancy process. Embryos are usually protected by a covering or shell that is known as the ‘zona pellucida,’ the shedding of which is important. The zona goes through a thinning process, which would eventually cause the embryo to ‘hatch.’ If the embryo fails to hatch, then it may be one of the causes for multiple IVF failures.
What is Assisted Hatching?
When the zona pellucida fails to thin and the embryo does not hatch, the shell will have to be drilled into- this is called the assisted hatching process. This procedure is usually done when the embryo is still in the early stages of development- usually on day 3, or in the case of blastocyst culture treatments, on day 5.
Methods of Assisted Hatching
- Mechanical
- Chemical (Acid Tyrode)
- Enzyme (Pronase)
- Laser
