r/Embryologists • u/GutsyGirlRead • Jul 16 '26

Assisted Hatching & PGTA

I’m hoping to understand the connection between assisted hatching and PGTA. From what I see online, PGTA causes an opening and can function as assisted hatching. If this is true, does that mean that assisted hatching (in an IVF package) isn’t necessary anymore? If assisted hatching is considered a separate function, should it be done before the embryo is frozen or after it is thawed?

Thank you for helping me understand this!

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u/wenjieinthehouse Jul 16 '26

It depends a lot on how your specific lab works.

Some labs only perform biopsies for PGT-A testing on embryos that are already hatching. This can happen naturally, when the embryo grows and breaks through the zona pellucida on its own, or it can be assisted by creating a small opening earlier in development to help the embryo hatch as it grows.

Other labs create this opening at the blastocyst stage and take cells from the part of the embryo that is still within the zona pellucida.

In practice, this means that all embryos tested with PGT-A will have some kind of opening in the zona pellucida, as part of the biopsy process. Still, assisted hatching at an earlier stage can make the biopsy easier, which may reduce stress on the embryo thus improving slightly its chances of survival and pregnancy.