Pre-implantation Genetic Testing for Embryos

Genetic Testing for Embryos prevent the transmission of hereditary genetic alterations.

Pre-implantation genetic testing is a proven technique that virtually eliminates the transmission of many genetic diseases from parents to children. It is applied as part of an in Vitro Fertilization cycle, and can detect the diseased embryo before it is transferred to the woman's uterus.

Benefits-

This genetic testing technique prevents the transmission of diseases such as cystic fibrosis, thalassemia or muscular dystrophy, among others.

Pre-Implantation diagnostic phase

Phase 1: Genetic study

After having carried out In Vitro Fertilization and before transferring the embryo into the uterus, the genetic material of the embryo is studied in order to detect genetic alterations.

Phase 2: Biopsy of embryos

A biopsy is performed on each embryo, and those with a specific congenital disease are excluded.

Phase 3: Transfer

One or two healthy embryos are transferred. Other healthy embryos can be kept frozen.

The diagnosis can be obtained in 2 different ways

Pre-implantation Genetic Diagnosis with Embryos-

This study is carried out when the embryos are preferably in the blastocyst stage or when they have 6 to 8 cells, depending on the quality and quantity of the embryo. In order to study their genetic material, a biopsy is performed on each of them. Those with a genetic disease are excluded and only healthy embryos are selected for transfer to the uterus.

Pre-implantation Genetic Diagnosis with Ova-

This technique can detect genetic or chromosomal diseases in the egg before the embryo is formed. This technique analyzes part of the ovum, namely the polar corpuscle, and only allows hereditary pathologies to be detected on the mother's side. A biopsy is performed and, as soon as the polar corpuscle is extracted, the oocytes are inseminated using intracytoplasmic sperm microinjection (ICSI). After two days, the genetic result is obtained and the embryos from healthy oocytes are selected for transfer.

Pre-implantation genetic testing for IVF-

Pre-implantation genetic diagnosis and Pre-implantation genetic targeting are tests that identify the number of abnormal chromosomes or the number of genetic mutations in embryos created through the IVF process. Embryos free of genetic abnormalities can then be selected for implantation.

Aneuploidy is the most common abnormality in embryos. Aneuploidy characterizes an embryo that does not have the normal number of chromosomes. This genetic anomaly can lead to:

·         Absence of pregnancy

·         A miscarriage

·         Voluntary termination of pregnancy

About 70% of early miscarriages are associated with a chromosomal abnormality in the foetus. Some studies show that genetic testing before embryo transfer helps to achieve higher implantation rates, reduce pregnancy loss and also reduce the risk of having to consider termination of pregnancy.

Patients who may benefit from Pre-implantation Genetic Testing include:

·         Women who are 35 years of age and older using their own oocytes

·         Women who are victims of repeated miscarriages

·         Patients who have experienced multiple in vitro fertilization failures

·         Patients who have already had a pregnancy with a chromosomal abnormality. 

Most Fertilty clinics & IVF centres pan India uses an advanced technique to remove a few cells from a embryo at blastocyst stage (5 or 6 days). The biopsied cells are then analyzed to determine if each of them have 23 pairs of chromosomes. The genetic testing cost in India varies from one fertility centre to another. The normal embryos are then selected for implantation. At this more advanced cell stage (blastocyst) embryo biopsy procedure greatly increases the accuracy of the tests and minimizes the potential damage that the biopsy can cause to the embryo. At the blastocyst stage, the embryologist removes a smaller part of the embryo which corresponds to the cells of what will be the future placenta and in no case to the foetal cells. Genetic testing for IVF is always a good idea when you are suffering from genetic disease and doesn’t want it to be inherited by your progeny.

To know more about Pre-implantation genetic testing cost in Inida or to undergo any type of fertility treatment, visit the best IVF centre, share your infertility problems and get the right solution.