preimplantation genetic testing

Ge ne ti cal

What is PGT?

Preimplantation Genetic Testing is a procedure used prior the implantation to detect and prevent the transmission to the offspring of serious diseases caused by genetic and chromosomal alterations in embryos, to ensure that children are born free from hereditary diseases.

The most commonly used types of Preimplantation Genetic Testing are:

Who can benefit from PGT?

Couple expecting a healthy baby after PGD testing

Any couple undergoing in vitro fertilization is a potential candidate for aneuploidy testing and could benefit from performing genetic diagnosis tests.

Couples at risk of passing on a genetic disease or condition could also be candidates for PGD, in addition to the following groups:

  • Carriers of gender-linked genetic disorders
  • Carriers of single gen disorders
  • Those with chromosomal disorders
  • Women aged 35 and over
  • Women experiencing recurrent pregnancy loss
  • Women with more than one failed fertility treatment

Gender selection

PGD has also been used for the purpose of gender selection

It can be used to detect which embryos are XX or XY. The desired embryos can be placed into the uterus to achieve pregnancy.

PGD is the only method for gender selection that is close to 100% accurate.

How does PGT work?

Preimplantation Genetic Testing (or PGT) is a test which is performed after IVF is completed, when the oocytes have been fertilized and the embryos start dividing.

A genetic test can be carried out once the embryo has reached the 8-cell stage (around the 3rd day of development), by removing a single cell (blastomere biopsy). Then, the embryo is returned to the incubator for further growth.

However, it is recommended to perform the biopsy once embryos have become blastocysts (day 5-6). By the 5th day of development, the embryos will have divided into approximately 100 cells and have formed the outer layer that will eventually become the placenta. At this stage, a trophoblast biopsy can be performed, by removing a few cells from the outer layer. This procedure does not affect the embryo’s quality or ability to implant.

Preimplantation genetic testing in a lab

Preimplantation Genetic Testing we offer

Preimplantation genetic testing: Baby gender selection

PGD5
On 5 pairs of chromosomes

A PGD5 tests for the presence of the most frequent chromosomal abnormalities in embryos that prevent the embryos from developing normally or can cause a chromosomal pathology.

PGD5 provides embryo screening for the following:

  • (X, Y) Gender selection
  • (13) Patau Syndrome
  • (18) Edwards Syndrome
  • (21) Down´s Syndrome

PGD9
On 9 pairs of chromosomes
(X, Y, 13, 15, 16, 17, 18, 21, 22)

In addition to screening chromosomes X, Y, 13,18,21, PGD9 testing also analyses chromosomes 15, 16, 17, 22, which can cause syndromes leading to frozen pregnancy or miscarriage amongst other conditions.

The results for PGD9 usually take 5 days

Preimplantation genetic testing: Baby items
PGT: Baby toys

PGD
On all 23 chromosomes

The use of new technologies, such as the Comparative Genomic Hybridization (CGH) or Next Generation Sequencing (NGS), allow us to screen and study monogenic hereditary diseases and chromosomal abnormalities on all 23 pairs of the chromosomes in the embryo. This improves the accuracy of the testing and allows us to improve the chance for pregnancy and reduce the risk of miscarriage.

FAQ

Get in touch