How should we know which embryo will give us the best chance? is the question which comes more frequently than almost any other to couples who are going through IVF.
The most accurate solution that science can provide at present is preimplantation genetic testing – PGT. And new information is rendering it even more useful.
This blog will help you understand what the recent studies have indicated and who is likely to gain the most by PGT in Noida.
What Is Preimplantation Genetic Testing?
PGT is a genetic screening test done on the embryos that have been created through IVF prior to their transfer to the uterus. A few cells are biopsied out of a Day 5 blastocyst and analysed for chromosomal or genetic abnormalities. Embryos which survive through screening are transferred, greatly lowering the risk of implantation, miscarriage and chromosomally abnormal pregnancies.
The Three Types of PGT
- PGT-A ( Aneuploidy Testing ): Screens chromosome abnormalities. The most common type is especially seen in women over 35 and those with a history of implantation failure.
- PGT-M (Monogenic Disorders): Tests on specific inherited single-gene diseases (thalassaemia, sickle cell disease, cystic fibrosis and BRCA mutations). Particularly applicable in those populations where the carrier rates are greater, such as a number of communities in North India.
- PGT-SR (Structural Rearrangements): Used in cases where the partners have chromosomal rearrangements that predispose them to miscarriage.
What New Data Is Showing?
Recent discoveries are redefining the way embryologists should treat PGT. In 2023, a meta-analysis published in Human Reproduction found that, in women older than 37 (an age that constitutes an increasing percentage of IVF patients in urban India), PGT-A significantly increased live birth rates per transfer.
Notably, however, a long-standing issue is also being tackled by new research: the risk of discarding mosaic embryos, those with a mixture of normal and abnormal cells.
Recent ESHRE guidelines now suggest that mosaic embryos be considered for transfer in certain clinical situations instead of being routinely discarded, with results showing viable pregnancies in a significant percentage of cases.
In clinical practice, this implies that the decisions made by embryo selection have never been more finely tuned, and the role of the embryologist in interpreting PGT reports has never been more critical.
Who Should Consider PGT?
PGT is specially advised to:
- Females (35 years and older) undergoing IVF.
- Couples who have had two or more miscarriages.
- Patients who have failed IVF implantation several times.
- Carriers of genetic disorders of known genetic conditions or chromosomal rearrangements.
- Couples who want to prevent the transmission of hereditary diseases.
Suggest to Read :- Embryo Grading: IVF’s Secret to Success in Noida
Frequently Asked Questions
Does PGT guarantee a successful pregnancy?
No, PGT can greatly increase the likelihood of a successful transfer by selecting chromosomally normal embryos, but it does not exclude all the causes of implantation failure. Also contributing factors are uterine factors, immune responses, and embryo quality beyond genetics.
Is the biopsy harmful to the embryo?
Blastocyst biopsy has not been demonstrated to lower the implantation potential when performed by an experienced embryologist. Timing and technique are paramount. Day 5 biopsy has become the norm and is considered safer as compared to the previous stage of biopsy.
How long do PGT results take?
Normally, 2-4 weeks, depending on the testing laboratory. This is the time that embryos are vitrified (frozen) and transferred in a later cycle once the results are verified.
Should you be thinking about IVF and whether or not PGT is the correct choice in your particular case, then consult our clinical embryology team and have a personalised assessment of whether or not PGT in Noida is the right choice in your specific case.