Depending on your age and fertility and medical history, PGT can be an essential consideration before embryo implantation. While genetic testing doesn’t change the inherent quality of embryos, it can support the selection process and provide vital insights into embryo health and inherited conditions. Our fertility experts can guide you through the process with clarity and compassion, supporting you in making informed decisions about genetic testing.
Depending on your age and fertility and medical history, PGT can be an essential consideration before embryo implantation. While genetic testing doesn’t change the inherent quality of embryos, it can support the selection process and provide vital insights into embryo health and inherited conditions. Our fertility experts can guide you through the process with clarity and compassion, supporting you in making informed decisions about genetic testing.
PGT involves taking a few cells from the developing embryo and performing genetic analysis on these before any embryo transfer takes place.
There are three types of PGT, which are performed for very different reasons.
PGT-A assesses whether your embryos have the correct chromosome complement.
Embryos which have an extra chromosome or a missing chromosome are called ‘aneuploid’, and these will either not implant or may result in an early miscarriage and thus would be avoided for transfer. An embryo with a normal chromosome complement is called ‘euploid’, and these would be preferentially selected for transfer.
A small number of patients have a known structural chromosome rearrangement that has been diagnosed by a clinical genetics team. These patients may experience difficulty conceiving or recurrent pregnancy loss.
PGT-SR (Preimplantation Genetic Testing for Structural Rearrangements) is used to identify embryos with the specific chromosomal arrangement previously diagnosed in the patient, helping to inform embryo selection for transfer.
A small number of patients may carry a known gene variant that has previously been identified by a clinical genetics team. Examples of conditions caused by a single gene defect include cystic fibrosis and Huntington’s disease.
PGT-M enables embryos to be tested for the specific genetic condition, helping to avoid the transfer of embryos that have inherited the affected gene.
Genetic testing can provide us with valuable insights into embryo quality. While genetic testing isn’t necessary for every IVF case, it can be recommended for individuals and couples:
How safe is it for the embryos?
Genetic testing involves taking a biopsy, which means removing a number of cells. At the time of the biopsy, the developing embryo has approximately 100 cells, and two types of tissue are developing.
The trophectoderm (TE) is the outer layer of the embryo and will eventually form the placenta. The inner cell mass (ICM) is the clump of cells in the centre of the embryo that will eventually form the baby. Our embryologist will take a biopsy of trophectoderm cells, and it is not thought to result in an increased risk for birth defects or damage to the future baby.
Are there any other risks?