IVF and Genetic Testing: What you need to know about PGS/PGT-A
IVF is a type of assisted reproductive technology (ART) that involves retrieving eggs from the ovaries and fertilising them with sperm in a laboratory. The resulting embryos are then transferred to the woman’s uterus with the hope of achieving a successful pregnancy.
However, not all embryos created through IVF are chromosomally normal, which can lead to failed implantation, miscarriage, or the birth of a child with a genetic disorder. That’s where pre-implantation genetic testing (PGT) comes in.
PGT is a type of genetic testing that can be performed on embryos created through IVF to identify chromosomal abnormalities or genetic disorders.
There are 3 types of PGT: PGT-A also known as PGD (looking for an abnormal number of chromosomes), PGT-SR (looking for structural abnormalities in chromosomes) and PGT-M (looking for genetic mutations like cystic fibrosis)
What is PGS or PGT-A?
PGS is a type of genetic testing that screens embryos with numerical chromosomal abnormalities. Chromosomal abnormalities can occur when an embryo has an extra or missing chromosome. PGS can help identify embryos that are chromosomally normal and have the highest chance of successful implantation and development. Another type of PGS that looks for structural chromosomal abnormalities (having a piece of a chromosome attached to another, translocation for example) is called PGT-SR. This technique is tailored for patients with know chromosomal structural abnormalities that don’t want the risk of passing it to their children.
What is PGD or PGT-M?
PGD is a type of genetic testing that screens embryos for a specific genetic disorders. PGD is typically used for couples who are carriers of a genetic disorder and want to avoid passing it on to their child.
How is PGT performed?
PGT is performed on embryos created through IVF before they are transferred to the woman’s uterus. The process involves removing a few cells from the embryo and sending them to a laboratory for analysis. The results of the PGT can then be used to select the healthiest and most viable embryos for transfer.
Is PGT right for me?
Whether or not PGT is right for you depends on your individual circumstances. PGT is typically recommended for couples who have a high risk of passing on a genetic disorder or have experienced multiple failed IVF cycles. PGT may also be recommended for women over the age of 35, as they have a higher risk of producing chromosomally abnormal embryos.
It’s important to note that PGT is an additional step in the IVF process. It’s also not a guarantee of success, as there are still factors beyond genetics that can impact the success of IVF.
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