Reproductive BioMedicine Online
Volume 20, Issue 2 , Pages 234-242 , February 2010

Effect of laser zona thinning on vitrified–warmed embryo transfer at the cleavage stage: a prospective, randomized study

  • Mojtaba Rezazadeh Valojerdi

      Affiliations

    • Embryology Department, Reproductive Medicine Research Center, Royan Institute, 12 Hafez St., Banihashem St., Resalat St., PO Box 19395-4644, ACECR, Tehran, Iran
    • Department of Anatomy, School of Medical Sciences, Tarbiat Modarres University, Tehran, Iran
    • Corresponding Author InformationCorresponding author.
  • ,
  • Poopak Eftekhari-Yazdi

      Affiliations

    • Embryology Department, Reproductive Medicine Research Center, Royan Institute, 12 Hafez St., Banihashem St., Resalat St., PO Box 19395-4644, ACECR, Tehran, Iran
  • ,
  • Leila Karimian

      Affiliations

    • Embryology Department, Reproductive Medicine Research Center, Royan Institute, 12 Hafez St., Banihashem St., Resalat St., PO Box 19395-4644, ACECR, Tehran, Iran
  • ,
  • Fatemeh Hassani

      Affiliations

    • Embryology Department, Reproductive Medicine Research Center, Royan Institute, 12 Hafez St., Banihashem St., Resalat St., PO Box 19395-4644, ACECR, Tehran, Iran
  • ,
  • Bahar Movaghar

      Affiliations

    • Embryology Department, Reproductive Medicine Research Center, Royan Institute, 12 Hafez St., Banihashem St., Resalat St., PO Box 19395-4644, ACECR, Tehran, Iran

Received 16 March 2009 ,Revised 7 April 2009 ,Accepted 3 November 2009.

References 

  1. Ali J, Rahbar S, Burjaq H, et al. Routine laser assisted hatching results in significantly increased clinical pregnancies. J. Assist. Reprod. Genet. 2003;20:177–181
  2. Antinori S, Panci C, Selman HA, et al. Zona thinning with the use of laser: a new approach to assisted hatching in humans. Human Reprod. 1996;11:590–594
  3. Antinori S, Versaci C, Fuhrberg P, et al. Seventeen live births after the use of an erbium YAG laser in the treatment of male factor infertility. Human Reprod. 1994;9:1891–1896
  4. Azadbakht M, Valojerdi MR. Development of vitrified-warmed mouse embryos co-cultured with polarized or non-polarized uterine epithelial cells using sequential culture media. J. Assist. Reprod. Genet. 2008;25:251–261
  5. Balaban B, Urman B, Alatas C, et al. A comparison of four different techniques of assisted hatching. Human Reprod. 2002;17:1239–1243
  6. Balaban B, Urman B, Ata B, et al. A randomized controlled study of human day 3 embryo cryopreservation by slow freezing or vitrification: vitrification is associated with higher survival, metabolism and blastocyst formation. Human Reprod. 2008;23:1976–1982
  7. Balaban B, Urman B, Yakin K, et al. Laser-assisted hatching increases pregnancy and implantation rates in cryopreserved embryos that were allowed to cleave in vitro after thawing: a prospective randomized study. Human Reprod. 2006;21:2136–2140
  8. Bider D, Livshits A, Yonish M, et al. Assisted hatching by zona drilling of human embryos in women of advanced age. Human Reprod. 1997;12:317–320
  9. Blake DA, Forsberg AS, Johannson BR, et al. Laser zona pellucida thinning – an alternative approach to assisted hatching. Human Reprod. 2001;16:1959–1964
  10. Carroll J, Depypere H, Matthews CD. Freeze–thaw-induced changes of the zona pellucida explains decreased rates of fertilization in frozen–thawed mouse oocytes. J. Reprod. Fertility. 1990;90:547–553
  11. Check JH, Hoover L, Nazari A, et al. The effect of assisted hatching on pregnancy rates after frozen embryo transfer. Fertil. Steril. 1996;65:254–257
  12. Cohen J, Alikani M, Trowbridge J, et al. Implantation enhancement by selective assisted hatching using zona drilling of human embryos with poor prognosis. Human Reprod. 1992;7:685–691
  13. Cohen J, Elsner C, Kort H, et al. Impairment of the hatching process following IVF in the human and improvement of implantation by assisted hatching using micromanipulation. Human Reprod. 1990;5:7–13
  14. Cohen J, Malter H, Wright G, et al. Partial zona dissection of human oocytes when failure of zona pellucida penetration is anticipated. Human Reprod. 1989;4:435–442
  15. De Felici M, Siracusa G. ‘Spontaneous’ hardening of the zona pellucida of mouse oocytes during in-vitro culture. Gamete Res. 1982;6:107–113
  16. Desai N, Blackmon H, Szeptycki J, et al. Vitrification of human day 3 cleavage stage embryos: post-vitrification development, pregnancy outcomes and live births. Reprod. BioMed. Online. 2007;14:208–213
  17. Edi-Osagie EC, Hooper L, McGinlay P, et al. Effect(s) of assisted hatching on assisted conception (IVF and ICSI). Cochrane Database Syst. Rev. 2003;4:CD001894
  18. Edirisinghe WR, Ahnonkitpanit V, Promviengchai S, et al. A study failing to determine significant benefits from assisted hatching: patients selected for advanced age, zona thickness of embryos, and previous failed attempts. J. Assist. Reprod. Genet. 1999;16:294–301
  19. Edwards JL, Hansen PJ. Differential response of bovine oocytes and preimplantation embryos to heat shock. Mole. Reprod. Develop. 1997;46:138–145
  20. Fathi R, Valojerdi MR, Eftekhari-Yazdi P. Effect of laser-assisted hatching and necrotic blastomere removal on the development of vitrified–warmed four-cell mouse embryos. J. Assist. Reprod. Genet. 2008;25:333–339
  21. Fong CY, Bongso A, Ng SC, et al. Blastocyst transfer after enzymatic treatment of the zona pellucida: improving in-vitro fertilization and understanding implantation. Human Reprod. 1998;13:2926–2932
  22. Frydman N, Madoux S, Hesters L, et al. A randomized double-blind controlled study on the efficacy of laser zona pellucida thinning on live birth in cases of advanced female age. Human Reprod. 2006;21:2131–2135
  23. Gabrielsen A, Agerholm I, Toft B, et al. Assisted hatching improves implantation rates on cryopreserved-thawed embryos. A randomized prospective study. Human Reprod. 2004;19:2258–2262
  24. Gardner DK, Pawelczynski M, Trounson AO. Nutrient uptake and utilization can be used to select viable day 7 bovine blastocysts after cryopreservation. Mole. Reprod. Develop. 1996;44:472–475
  25. Ge HS, Zhou W, Zhang W, et al. Impact of assisted hatching on fresh and frozen–thawed embryo transfer cycles: a prospective, randomized study. Reprod. BioMed. Online. 2008;16:589–596
  26. Germond M, Nocera D, Senn A, et al. Microdissection of mouse and human zona pellucida using a 1.48mm diode laser beam: efficacy and safety of the procedure. Fertil. Steril. 1995;64:604–611
  27. Halloran MC, Sato-Maeda M, Warren JT, et al. Laser-induced gene expression in specific cells of transgenic zebrafish. Development. 2000;127:1953–1960
  28. Hartshorn C, Anshelevich A, Wangh LJ. Laser zona drilling does not induce hsp70i transcription in blastomeres of eight-cell mouse embryos. Fertil. Steril. 2005;84:1547–1550
  29. Hellebaut S, De Sutter P, Dozortsev D, et al. Does assisted hatching improve implantation rates after in vitro fertilization or intracytoplasmic sperm injection in all patients? A prospective randomized study. J. Assist. Reprod. Genet. 1996;13:19–22
  30. Hiraoka K, Fuchiwaki M, Hiraoka K, et al. Zona pellucida removal and vitrified blastocyst transfer outcome: a preliminary study. Reprod. BioMed. Online. 2007;15:68–75
  31. Hiraoka K, Fuchiwaki M, Hiraoka K, et al. Effect of the size of zona pellucida opening by laser assisted hatching on clinical outcome of frozen cleaved embryos that were cultured to blastocyst after thawing in women with multiple implantation failures of embryo transfer: a retrospective study. J. Assist. Reprod. Genet. 2008;25:129–135
  32. Hiraoka K, Hiraoka K, Kinutani M, et al. Assisted hatching at the time of warming improves pregnancy and implantation outcomes for vitrified human expanded blastocyst transfer. J. Mammal. Ova Res. 2004;21:118–122
  33. Horng SG, Chang CL, Wu HM, et al. Laser-assisted hatching of embryos in women of advanced age after in-vitro fertilization: a preliminary report. Chang Gung Med. J. 2002;25:531–537
  34. Illmensee K, Kaskar K, Zavos PM. Efficient blastomere biopsy for mouse for embryo splitting for future applications in human assisted reproduction. Reprod. BioMed. Online. 2005;11:716–725
  35. Khalifa EA, Tucker MJ, Hunt P. Cruciate thinning of the zona pellucid for more successful enhancement of blastocyst hatching in the mouse. Human Reprod. 2000;7:532–536
  36. Kuwayama M, Vajta G, Ieda S, et al. Comparison of open and closed methods for vitrification of human embryos and the elimination of potential contamination. Reprod. BioMed. Online. 2005;11:608–614
  37. Lane M, Gardner DK. Vitrification of mouse oocytes using a nylon loop. Mole. Reprod. Develop. 2001;58:342–347
  38. Lane M, Maybach JM, Gardner DK. Addition of ascorbate during cryopreservation stimulates subsequent embryo development. Human Reprod. 2002;17:2686–2693
  39. Lanzendorf SE, Nehchiri F, Mayer JF, et al. A prospective randomized double-blind study for the evaluation of assisted hatching in patients with advanced maternal age. Human Reprod. 1998;13:409–413
  40. Li L, Munne S, Licciardi F, et al. Microinjection of FITC-dextran into mouse blastomeres to assess topical effects of zona photoablation. Zygote. 1993;1:43–48
  41. Loret De Mola JR, Garside WT, Bucci J, et al. Analysis of the human zona pellucida during culture: correlation with diagnosis and the preovulatory hormonal environment. J. Assist. Reprod. Genet. 1997;14:332–336
  42. Lyu QF, Wu LQ, Li YP, et al. An improved mechanical technique for assisted hatching. Human Reprod. 2005;20:1619–1623
  43. Malter HE, Cohen J. Embryonic development after microsurgical repair of polyspermic human zygotes. Fertil. Steril. 1989;52:373–380
  44. Malter HE, Schimmel T, Cohen J. Zona dissection by infrared laser: developmental consequences in the mouse, technical considerations, and controlled clinical trial. Reprod. BioMed. Online. 2001;3:117–123
  45. Mantoudis E, Podsiadly BT, Gorgy A, et al. A comparison between quarter, partial and total laser assisted hatching in selected infertility patients. Human Reprod. 2001;16:2182–2186
  46. Meldrum DR, Wisot A, Yee B, et al. Assisted hatching reduces the age-related decline in IVF outcome in women younger than age 43 without increasing miscarriage or monozygotic twinning. J. Assist. Reprod. Genet. 1998;15:418–421
  47. Moreira da Silva F, Metelo R. Relation between physical properties of the zona pellucida and viability of bovine embryos after slow-freezing and vitrification. Reprod. Domest. Anim. 2005;40:205–209
  48. Nagy ZP, Rienzi L, Iacobelli M, et al. Laser-assisted hatching and removal of degenerated blastomeres (s) of frozen–thawed embryos improves pregnancy rate. Fertil. Steril. 1999;72(Suppl. 1):S4
  49. Nagy ZP, Taylor T, Elliott T, et al. Removal of lysed blastomeres from frozen-thawed embryos improved implantation and pregnancy rates in frozen embryos transfer cycles. Fertil. Steril. 2005;84:1606–1612
  50. Nakayama T, Fujiwara H, Tastumi K, et al. A new assisted hatching technique using a piezo-micromanipulator. Fertil. Steril. 1998;69:784–788
  51. Ng EH, Lau EY, Yeung WS, et al. Randomized double-blind comparison of laser zona pellucida thinning and breaching in frozen–thawed embryo transfer at the cleavage stage. Fertil. Steril. 2008;89:1147–1153
  52. Ng EH, Naveed F, Lau EY, et al. A randomized double blind controlled study of the efficacy of laser assisted hatching on implantation and pregnancy rates of frozen–thawed embryo transfer at the cleavage stage. Human Reprod. 2005;20:979–985
  53. Nyboe Andersen A, Gianaroli L, Nygren KG, et al. Assisted reproductive technology in Europe, 2000. Results generated from European registers by ESHRE. Human Reprod. 2004;19:490–503
  54. Petersen CG, Mauri AL, Baruffi RL, et al. Implantation failures: success of assisted hatching with quarter laser zona thinning. Reprod. BioMed. Online. 2005;10:224–229
  55. Petersen CG, Mauri AL, Baruffi RL, et al. Laser-assisted hatching of cryopreserved–thawed embryos by thinning one quarter of the zona. Reprod. BioMed. Online. 2006;13:668–675
  56. Porter RN, Smith W, Craft IL, et al. Induction of ovulation for in-vitro fertilisation using buserelin and gonadotropins. Lancet. 1984;324:1284–1285
  57. Prato LD, Borini A, Cattoli M, et al. Endometrial preparation for frozen–thawed embryo transfer with or without pretreatment with gonadotropin-releasing hormone agonist. Fertil. Steril. 2002;77:956–960
  58. Primi MP, Senn A, Montag M, et al. A European multicenter prospective randomized study to assess the use of assisted hatching with diode laser and the benefit of an immunosuppressive/antibiotic treatment in different patient populations. Human Reprod. 2004;19:2325–2333
  59. Rama Raju GA, Haranath GB, Krishna KM, et al. Vitrification of human 8-cell embryos, a modified protocol for better pregnancy rates. Reprod. BioMed. Online. 2005;11:434–437
  60. Rivera RM, Hansen PJ. Development of cultured bovine embryos after exposure to high temperatures in the physiological range. Reproduction. 2001;121:107–115
  61. Roth Z, Hansen PJ. Involvement of apoptosis in disruption of developmental competence of bovine oocytes by heat shock during maturation. Biol. Reprod. 2004;71:1898–1906
  62. Roth Z, Hansen PJ. Disruption of nuclear maturation and rearrangement of cytoskeletal elements in bovine oocytes exposed to heat shock during maturation. Reproduction. 2005;129:235–244
  63. Sallam HN. Assisted hatching. Miner. Ginecol. 2004;56:223–234
  64. Sallam HN, Sadek SS, Agameya AF. Assisted hatching – a meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials. J. Assist. Reprod. Genet. 2003;20:332–342
  65. Schalkolft ME, Oskowitz SP, Powers RD. Ultrasound observation of human and mouse oocyte treated with cryopreservatives. Biol. Reprod. 1989;40:379–393
  66. Schoolcraft WB, Schlenker T, Jones GS, et al. In-vitro fertilization in women age 40 and older: the impact of assisted hatching. J. Assist. Reprod. Genet. 1995;12:581–584
  67. Seif MM, Edi-Osagie EC, Farquhar C, et al. Assisted hatching on assisted conception (IVF and ICSI). Cochrane Database Systemat. Rev. 2006;1:1
  68. Sheehan CB, Lane M, Gardner DK. The CryoLoop facilitates re-vitrification of embryos at four successive stages of development without impairing embryo growth. Human Reprod. 2006;21:2978–2984
  69. Sifer C, Sellam A, Poncelet C, et al. A prospective randomized study to assess the benefit of partial zona pellucida digestion before frozen–thawed embryo transfers. Human Reprod. 2006;21:2384–2389
  70. Souil E, Capon A, Mordon S, et al. Treatment with 815-nm diode laser induces long-lasting expression of 72-kDa heat shock protein in normal rat skin. Br. J. Dermatol. 2001;144:260–266
  71. Tao J, Tamis R. Application of assisted hatching for 2 day old, frozen thawed embryo transfer in poor prognosis population. J. Assist. Reprod. Genet. 1997;14:128–130
  72. Tucker MJ, Cohen J, Massey JB, et al. Partial dissection of the zona pellucida of frozen–thawed human embryos may enhance blastocyst hatching, implantation and pregnancy rates. Amer. J. Obstetr. Gynecol. 1991;165:341–344
  73. Tucker MJ, Luecke NM, Wiker SR, et al. Chemical removal of the outside of the zona pellucida on day 3 human embryos has no impact on implantation. J. Assist. Reprod. Genet. 1993;10:187–191
  74. Valojerdi MR, Eftekhari-Yazdi P, Karimian L, et al. Effect of laser zona pellucida opening on clinical outcome of assisted reproduction technology in patients with advanced female age, recurrent implantation failure, or frozen–thawed embryos. Fertil. Steril. 2008;90:84–91
  75. Vanderzwalmen P, Bertin G, Debauche Ch, et al. Vitrification of human blastocysts with the hemi-straw carrier: application of assisted hatching after thawing. Human Reprod. 2003;18:1504–1511
  76. Vicente C, Pickering SJ, Johnson MH. The zona hardening effect of dimethylsulphoxide on mouse zona pellucida requires the presence of an oocyte and is associated with a reduction in the number of cortical granules present. J. Reprod. Fertility. 1990;89:253–259
  77. Wong BC, Boyd CA, Lanzendorf SE. Randomized controlled study of human zona pellucida dissection using the zona infrared laser optical system: evaluation of blastomere damage, embryo development, and subsequent hatching. Fertility Sterility. 2003;80:1249–1254
  78. Zech NH, Lejeune B, Zech H, et al. Vitrification of hatching and hatched human blastocysts: effect of an opening in the zona pellucid before vitrification. Reprod. BioMed. Online. 2005;11:355–361
  79. Zhu GJ, Jin L, Zhang HW, et al. Vitrification of human cleaved embryos in-vitro fertilization-embryo transfer. Zhonghua Fu Chan Ke Za Zhi. 2005;40:682–684

 Mojtaba Rezazadeh Valojerdi obtained his PhD degree (1990) in Anatomy from University of Glasgow in UK. At present, he is full professor in Anatomy and Embryology at University of Tarbiat Modarres, and Head of the Embryology Department at Royan Fertility and Infertility Research Center, Tehran. He is member of Research and Ethics committees at University of Tarbiat Modarres and has more than 200 publications in national and international journals. He serves as ad-hoc reviewer or is in the Editorial Board of different national journals dealing with Cell Biology and Human Reproduction. His current research interests include assisted reproduction, embryo cryopreservation, and differentiation of stem cells.

PII: S1472-6483(09)00215-6

doi: 10.1016/j.rbmo.2009.11.002

Reproductive BioMedicine Online
Volume 20, Issue 2 , Pages 234-242 , February 2010