The feeling of isolation through the journey of infertility is certainly painful. After years of hopeful trying, each negative result can bring a wave of disappointment. There are several reasons which lead to such a phase. 

Unfortunately, human reproduction gets inefficient as the years go by. When we get older, it becomes even more inefficient.

Since the starting stage of the inception of IVF, we’ve worked diligently to fight these inefficiencies and several advanced techniques have led to significantly higher pregnancy rates. Among the advancements in reproductive health, preimplantation genetic testing (PGT) stands out as a significant one.

This screening of embryos for fertilisation increases the chances of a successful and healthy pregnancy. The issues are detected early so that necessary precautions can be taken, PGT provides hopeful parents with more clarity and confidence, making it a top advancement in the journey of conception.

In this blog, we explore what and how Preimplantation Genetic Testing Can Improve IVF Success Rates. Preimplantation genetic testing comes in two forms: 

• Preimplantation genetic testing for aneuploidy (PGT-A) 

• Preimplantation genetic testing for single gene mutation (PGT-M)

Learn the IVF Process

A couple goes through a standard IVF cycle and the result can be obtained after 5 days, in which eggs are retrieved and sperm is obtained. Embryos are created and then cultured to the blastocyst stage. That process takes at least five days. It’s to be noted that not all fertilised embryos develop into blastocysts.

On the fifth day, a trophectoderm biopsy is performed and a few cells are removed from the portion of the embryo destined to become the placenta. Then the cells are sent for genetic testing, and the embryos are frozen. Now once a genetic report is generated, a frozen embryo transfer can be carried out. Eva IVF & Women’s Centre has helped many aspiring couples to undergo IVF as we are the best IVF centre in Chennai and have fulfilled their dreams of becoming pregnant.

Success Comes with Preimplantation Genetic Testing

PGT-A is performed when a couple has any genetic errors which can cause IVF to fail. This screening is done when they have genetic problems with the embryo which is believed to be the primary reason why an IVF cycle doesn’t work. 

If you can determine which embryos are genetically normal, a couple can increase their odds of success and overcome the chances of miscarriage. It is proven that pregnancy rates generally increase by 10-20% after PGT-A. 

Every month, hundreds of follicles begin to mature; however, typically only one completes the process and eventually ovulates. Of course, the quality of these follicles with their contained eggs-their maturity-is the issue when it comes to fertility.

Preimplantation genetic screening to find errors

PGT-M can be performed for specific genetic mutations, such as cystic fibrosis or spinal muscular atrophy. These are abnormalities in an individual’s DNA that predispose his or her children to a specific disease. 

These disease mutations can be dominant, in which a single gene carried by one parent results in clinical disease. Or, they can be recessive, in which both parents have to carry the genetic mutation and pass it onto their child. 

In the case of a dominant inheritance pattern, there’s a 50% chance the offspring will have clinical disease. With a recessive pattern, there’s a 25% chance the offspring will have clinical disease while half will be carriers. 

When an individual has been diagnosed with a hereditary disease, PGT-M should be considered.