Assisted Hatching (AH)

<< back to IVF Table of Contents

Assisted Hatching ("AH") is a micromanipulation technique in which the shell around the embryo (the zona pellucida) is opened or thinned to facilitate the embryo hatching process. AH involves drilling the zona using a laser, the technique shown worldwide to produce the best results.

The Wisconsin Fertility Institute is selective when choosing whether or not to use Assisted Hatching. AH is not performed in all cases and is recommended when one or more of the following criteria are present:

  • advanced maternal age (>40 years)
  • elevated basal FSH levels
  • embryos that have uniform thick zona layers (>15 mm)
  • two previous failed IVF cycles

IVF section: see next page >>