When embryos start dividing in the lab, small pieces of the cell can break off during the first few days after fertilization. These are called fragments, and the process is called fragmentation.

Severe fragmentation is linked to poor outcomes. Embryos often stop developing or fail to implant, and there are no proven ways to prevent it.

Keitaro Yumoto and colleagues tested a new idea in patients with repeated IVF failure and severe fragmentation. What if you remove the zona pellucida (the shell around the embryo) right after fertilization? The zona normally keeps the embryo together, but it may also play a role in fragmentation.

The study found that removing the zona reduced fragmentation and improved blastocyst development. Pregnancy and live birth rates also improved, with six babies born.

Why might this work? Studies show that fragments often appear where fibrous structures, called perivitelline threads, connect the zona to the embryo. Removing the zona may cut these connections and reduce fragmentation.

Another recent study reported similar benefits with zona removal, including more blastocysts, better quality, and 15 live births.

This is promising, but the studies were small. More research is needed to confirm safety, find which patients may benefit most, and follow up on the health of children born with this approach.



✅ Check out all the details on Remembryo: [https://www.remembryo.com/removing-the-embryos-zona-linked-to-less-fragmentation-more-blastocysts/](https://www.remembryo.com/removing-the-embryos-zona-linked-to-less-fragmentation-more-blastocysts/)

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𝐇𝐚𝐯𝐞 𝐚𝐧𝐲 𝐨𝐟 𝐲𝐨𝐮𝐫 𝐞𝐦𝐛𝐫𝐲𝐨𝐬 𝐞𝐯𝐞𝐫 𝐡𝐚𝐝 𝐚 𝐥𝐨𝐭 𝐨𝐟 𝐟𝐫𝐚𝐠𝐦𝐞𝐧𝐭𝐚𝐭𝐢𝐨𝐧? 𝐇𝐨𝐰 𝐝𝐢𝐝 𝐢𝐭 𝐠𝐨?

Removing the embryo’s zona linked to less fragmentation, more blastocysts