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Laser Assisted Hatching
LAH: Laser Assisted Hatching
The outer most layer of an embryo is zona pelucida (ZP) or commonly also known as the shell. At a certain phase of the embryo this zona reduces in thickness and lets the inner cells ooze out to get implanted in endometrium; this is called implantation, which is a vital step of initiation of conceiving, however in some cases, due to various reasons the hatching out doesn’t occur and thus no pregnancy.
This hatching is then facilitated by a high precision laser beam, which makes a 10-20 micron hole in ZP. Much safer method comparing to the older method where acid was used. This laser is also used for embryo biopsy if needed.
Who might benefit from LAH:
- Patient with earlier IVF cycle, with low number of embryos
- Poor responders (low number of eggs by stimulation)
- Woman with high FSH level
- Advanced age woman (37years and above)
- Patient with thick embryos on Day3
- Frozen embryo treatment plan