Thinning and drilling laser-assisted hatching in thawed embryo transfer: A randomized controlled trial.
10.5653/cerm.2018.45.3.129
- Author:
Minh Tam LE
1
;
Thi Tam An NGUYEN
;
Thi Thai Thanh NGUYEN
;
Van Trung NGUYEN
;
Dinh Duong LE
;
Vu Quoc Huy NGUYEN
;
Ngoc Thanh CAO
;
Alar AINTS
;
Andres SALUMETS
Author Information
1. Center for Reproductive Endocrinology and Infertility (HUECREI), Hue University of Medicine and Pharmacy, Hue, Vietnam.
- Publication Type:Randomized Controlled Trial ; Original Article
- Keywords:
Assisted reproductive techniques;
Laser assisted hatching;
Zona pellucida
- MeSH:
Abortion, Spontaneous;
Chorion;
Embryo Transfer*;
Embryonic Structures*;
Female;
Humans;
In Vitro Techniques;
Methods;
Pregnancy;
Pregnancy Outcome;
Pregnancy Rate;
Pregnancy, Multiple;
Reproductive Techniques, Assisted;
Spermatozoa;
Zona Pellucida
- From:Clinical and Experimental Reproductive Medicine
2018;45(3):129-134
- CountryRepublic of Korea
- Language:English
-
Abstract:
OBJECTIVE: In frozen and thawed embryos, the zona pellucida (ZP) can be damaged due to hardening. Laser-assisted hatching (LAH) of embryos can increase the pregnancy rate. This study compared thinning and drilling of the ZP before frozen embryo transfer (FET). METHODS: Patients were randomly allocated into two groups for LAH using thinning or drilling on day 2 after thawing. Twenty-five percent of the ZP circumference and 50% of the ZP thickness was removed in the thinning group, and a hole 40 µm in diameter was made in the drilling group. RESULTS: A total of 171 in vitro fertilization/intracytoplasmic sperm injection FET cycles, including 85 cycles with drilling LAH and 86 cycles with thinning LAH, were carried out. The thinning group had a similar β-human chorionic gonadotropin-positive rate (38.4% vs. 29.4%), implantation rate (16.5% vs. 14.4%), clinical pregnancy rate (36.0% vs. 25.9%), miscarriage rate (5.8% vs. 2.4%), ongoing pregnancy rate (30.2% vs. 23.5%), and multiple pregnancy rate (7.0% vs. 10.6%) to the drilling LAH group. There were no significant differences in pregnancy outcomes between subgroups defined based on age (older or younger than 35 years) or ZP thickness (greater or less than 17 µm) according to the LAH method. CONCLUSION: The present study demonstrated that partial ZP thinning or drilling resulted in similar outcomes in implantation and pregnancy rates using thawed embryos, irrespective of women's age or ZP thickness.
