SUCCESSFUL USE OF A LASER FOR HUMAN EMBRYO BIOPSY IN PREIMPLANTATION GENETIC DIAGNOSIS - REPORT OF 2 CASES

Purpose: The use of Tyrode's acid to drill the zona pellucida for embr yo biopsy is the most widely used methodology in preimplantation genet ic diagnosis. Instead of this, we propose the use of a 1.48-mu m diode noncontact laser, which is quicker, simpler, and safer. Methods: The laser beam was tangentially guided to the zona pellucida of the embryo . Depending on zona pellucida measurement, two to four consecutive sho ts of 8-22 msec were necessary to drill the zona pellucida of the 13 e mbryos biopsied for two patients (hemophilia carriers). Results: Femal e embryos were replaced into the uterus of the patients (1.5 embryos/r eplacement). One single pregnancy was established (33.3% implantation rate). Coculture of untransferable embryos showed a blastocyst rate of 66.7% (4/6) for male embryos and 25% (1/4) for abnormal ones. Conclus ions: These results demonstrate the safety and usefulness of laser met hodology in preimplantation genetic diagnosis.