Preimplantation Genetic Screening

Birla Fertility & IVF provides preimplantation genetic screening (PGS), or preimplantation genetic testing for aneuploidy (PGT-A), to enhance fertility services in women. This aims to select and transfer chromosomally normal (euploid) embryos for improved success.

What is Preimplantation Genetic Screening?

PGS is a technique used to assess the chromosomal status of embryos created through in-vitro fertilisation (IVF) before they are transferred. PGS aims to identify genetically normal embryos, boosting pregnancy success and lowering miscarriage or birth defect risks.

PGS is performed for:

  • Identify and transfer chromosomally normal (euploid) embryos, optimising chances for successful implantation.

  • Decrease miscarriage risk attributed to embryonic aneuploidy.

  • Minimise the likelihood of chromosomal disorders such as Down syndrome.

  • Facilitate single embryo transfer, mitigating the potential for multiple pregnancies.

The need for PGS stems from the common occurrence of aneuploidy in human embryos, a risk that escalates with maternal age.

Why Consider Preimplantation Genetic Screening?

PGS is recommended for the following reasons:

  1. Recurrent Miscarriages and IVF Failures:

    • PGS can identify chromosomally normal embryos, which have a higher chance of successful implantation and a reduced risk of miscarriage.

    • By transferring only euploid embryos, PGS can improve IVF success rates.

    • It can reduce the risk of pregnancy loss in couples with a history of recurrent miscarriages or failed IVF cycles.

  2. Advanced Maternal Age (Over 37 Years):

    • The risk of embryonic aneuploidy (abnormal chromosome number) increases with maternal age.

    • PGS aids in selecting the most viable embryos for transfer in women aged 37 and older.

    • Transferring PGS-identified normal embryos can enhance successful IVF for older women.

How Is Preimplantation Genetic Screening Done?

Here are the key steps involved in the preimplantation genetic screening (PGS) process:

  1. Ovarian Stimulation and Egg Retrieval

    • The IVF process begins with the woman taking fertility medications to stimulate her ovaries to produce multiple mature eggs.

  2. Fertilisation and Embryo Culture

    • The retrieved eggs are subsequently fertilised with sperm, sourced either from the woman’s partner or a donor.

    • This process utilises IVF or intracytoplasmic sperm injection (ICSI) techniques.

    • The fertilised eggs (embryos) are cultured in the lab for 5-6 days to reach the blastocyst stage of development.

  3. Embryo Biopsy

    • At the blastocyst stage, a biopsy removes a small number of cells (5-10) from the outer layer (trophectoderm) of each embryo.

  4. Genetic Analysis

    • The biopsied cells undergo comprehensive chromosomal analysis.

    • Advanced techniques such as next-generation sequencing (NGS) or array comparative genomic hybridisation (aCGH) are employed for this purpose.

  5. Embryo Selection

    • Based on genetic analysis, fertility specialists identify chromosomally normal embryos that are suitable for transfer.

  6. Embryo Transfer

    • One or two healthy euploid embryos are then transferred to the woman’s uterus using a thin, flexible catheter.

Why Choose Us

Choosing the right fertility clinic is crucial for starting your family. At Birla Fertility & IVF, we offer personalised care with expert specialists guiding you every step of the way. Our advanced labs and outstanding success rates have helped over 2,30,000 patients achieve their dream of parenthood.

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Frequently Asked Questions

The risk of having chromosomal abnormalities in eggs and embryos increases steeply after the age of 35 years in women. This increases the risk of implantation failures, miscarriages as well as congenital abnormalities in the baby. PGS can help in lowering these risks.

PGS involves collecting cells from the embryo. This can damage or destroy the embryo. However, advances in the field of assisted reproductive technology and embryology have significantly improved survival rates for embryos through PGS. In some cases, all embryos may be found with chromosomal issues resulting in a cancelled IVF cycle.

In certain situations, PGS can help in reducing the risk of implantation failure as well as risk of miscarriages as it allows the selection of the healthiest embryos for transfer. It also increases the chance of having a healthy baby and enables better diagnostic decisions.

A healthy embryo has 22 pairs of chromosomes and 2 sex (gender) chromosomes. Incorrect number of chromosomes or chromosome aneuploidy is known to be a major cause of IVF failures and miscarriages. In rare cases, if the pregnancy is carried to term, it can lead to congenital issues in the child.

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