What is the Preimplantational Genetic Diagnosis (PGT)?

PGT (Preimplantation Genetic Testing) is an embryo screening technique that allows the detection of genetic alterations in embryos before their transfer to the uterus. We speak of PGT-A when the study is done at the chromosomal level, and PGT-M when it is the study of a particular gene.

For whom is it?

Preimplantational diagnosis (PGT) can be performed in any treatment as long as we have obtained viable embryos in the laboratory. However, there are situations for which our experts will indicate PGT in order to increase the chances of successful results and improve the prognosis for an evolutionary pregnancy.

Highly recommended for :

  • Couples carrying genetic anomalies.
  • Altered karyotype in one of the parents.
  • Women over 40 years of age, since there is a higher risk of having embryos with chromosomal abnormalities.
  • Patients with several unsuccessful in vitro fertilization (IVF) attempts.
  • With a history of repeated miscarriages.
  • Altered FISH in sperm.

At Vida Fertility Institute our goal is to offer effective solutions to all fertility problems. We believe that PGT is one of the greatest advances in assisted reproduction and a fantastic help to obtain the expected result.

What is the Preimplantational
Genetic Diagnosis process like?

How to perform it ?

To perform Preimplantation Genetic Diagnosis, we need to extract several cells from embryos at the blastocyst stage (5th day of embryonic development). During the biopsy, about 8 cells are extracted in order to have enough genetic material and to be able to give a reliable result regarding the viability of the embryo.

After the biopsy, the embryos are vitrified (frozen) until the genetic results are obtained, which takes about 3-4 weeks. With these results, we will be able to know with certainty whether the embryos will be able to give rise to an evolving pregnancy and increase the probability of a healthy baby being born.

The transfer of those embryos that are viable after the results of the genetic test is carried out in a simple way, preparing the woman’s uterus for the subsequent implantation of the embryo. Those embryos that present genetic alterations will be discarded, thus avoiding miscarriages, implantation failures or the transmission of genetic diseases.

With the use of this technique we reduce the waiting time until the desired pregnancy is achieved, which considerably eliminates the stress that many patients feel due to the uncertainty about the viability of the pregnancy. In addition, it is a tool that allows us to reduce the miscarriage rate, as well as to know the reasons why previous attempts failed for those patients who have previously undergone other IVF cycles.