To evaluate whether the developmental potential of embryos that were partially damaged after freezing and thawing can be improved by removal of necrotic blastomeres. Eight-cell mouse embryos were cryopreserved using 1,2-propanediol and sucrose as cryoprotectant with slow cooling procedure. After thawing, blastocyst formation and hatching of fully intact embryos were compared between no treatment and with laser-assisted hatching. For partially intact embryos, the effects of removal of necrotic blastomeres with micromanipulation were evaluated. Laser-assisted hatching of mouse cryopreserved fully intact embryos significantly increased blastocyst hatching (63.4% versus 48.3%, P<0.05), but had little effect on blastocyst formation (72.0% versus 70.1%, P>0.05). The removal of necrotic blastomeres from partially damaged mouse cryopreserved embryos with micromanipulation significantly increased blastocyst formation (52.9% versus 32.0%, P<0.05) and blastocyst hatching (41.2% versus 22.0%, P>0.05) compared with the control group. The developmental potential of partially damaged cryopreserved embryos can be improved by removal of necrotic blastomeres with micromanipulation.