PGT
Preimplantation Genetic Testing (PGT) is a technique used in In-Vitro Fertilization (IVF) used to screen the embryo for specific diseases before transfer. A biopsy is performed on embryos that have become blastocysts. After confirming the genetic test results, the healthy embryo is transferred into the uterus. Without PGT, IVF success rates range from <10%-50%. However, with PGT IVF success rates consistently hover around 70~80%.
What to expect
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Embryo will be biopsied on day 5 or 6 of growth, then frozen.
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The biopsied samples are sent to the genetic laboratory.
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PGT-A results take about 10~14 days.
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Transfer can be performed after the results.
Who needs this?
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Recurrent pregnancy loss
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Increased reproductive age of the female partner
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Repeat implantation failure
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Chromosomal abnormality
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Gender Selection
Advantages
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Provides a higher chance of implantation.
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Prevents transmission of known genetic diseases.
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Optimizes the chance of a successful pregnancy.
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Gender Selection/Family Balancing.
More info
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PGT-A can prevent the risk of a child with abnormalities such as Down’s Syndrome.
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PGT-M can find genetic defects in the embryos from families with a history of specific inheritable disorders.
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PGT-SR can prevent patients from giving birth to a child that may have extra or missing genetic materials (pregnancy loss).
Q&A
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What is ovarian reserve?Ovarian reserve is the number of eggs left in the female. A woman makes all the eggs she will ever have before she is born, about 6 million eggs. Then at birth only 1 million is left because the eggs have already died. By puberty only 500,000 eggs are left. The egg count is constantly decreasing until menopause around age 52 when there are no more eggs left.
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What are fallopian tubes?Fallopian tubes are where the sperm and the egg meet. If the tubes are blocked, the eggs are on one side and the sperm on the other side. They cannot meet and pregnancy cannot occur.
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What is third party reproduction?Third party reproduction is when an outside person is involved to help build your family by either donating sperm, egg, or uterus to carry the pregnancy.
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How long does fertility testing take?Basic fertility testing for the woman will take 2 visits over 7-10 days at the beginning of the menstrual cycle.
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Is fertility testing covered by insurance?Some, but not all insurance cover fertility testing.
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Is it a painful process?Egg count testing is a vaginal ultrasound and blood draw. Patient’s experience minimal discomfort with both procedures. Uterine testing requires insertion of a catheter into the uterine cavity and the uterine cavity is distended with fluid. Insertion of the catheter and uterine distension can cause some cramping equivalent to menstrual cramping. Fallopian tube testing requires insertion of the catheter into the uterine cavity, distension of the uterus with fluid, then the filling and spilling of the fluid from the fallopian tubes. This procedure is usually quick with minimal pain if the fallopian tubes are open, but can also cause significant cramping and discomfort if the tubes are blocked.
