What is Assisted Hatching (AH) ?
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Assisted Hatching (AH)
This is a microscopic procedure ( micromanipulation ) used to break up the zona pellucida (a thick protein coating surrounding the egg ).
Early embryos are surrounded by a gel-like protective shell called the zona pellucida. When they are about 5-6 days old the embryos must hatch out of the zona pellucida so that they can attach to the wall of the womb and continue growing.
As women get older, the zona pellucida may become harder or tougher making it difficult for the embryos to hatch. As a result, implantation and pregnancy may not occur.
What demographic is best for Assisted Hatching?
The most commonly used indications for assisted hatching with an in vitro fertilization case are:
Zona factor - Couples having IVF with embryos that have a thick outer shell (zona pellucida).
Age factor - Couples having IVF with the female partner’s age over 37.
Embryo quality factor - Couples having IVF with poor quality embryos (excessive fragmentation or slow rates of cell division).
Egg quantity and quality factor - Couples in which the female’s day 3 follicle stimulating hormone (FSH) level is elevated.
Previous failures - Couples having IVF that have had one or more previous IVF cycles that failed.
What are the risks of AH?
There has been no reported increased incidence of birth defects in children born as a result of this procedure; some centers, however, have reported an increase in the number of identical twins. Also, rare side effects from the accompanying steroid treatment can include: salt or water retention, a higher susceptibility to infection, elevation in blood pressure, mood swings, osteoporosis, nausea, insomnia, and allergic reactions. The antibiotic used (usually doxycycline) may increase skin sensitivity to sunlight and may increase your risk for a vaginal yeast infection.
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