Fertility Answers offers preimplantation genetic testing, PGT-A, to identify chromosomal abnormalities
The physicians at Fertility Answers utilize the latest breakthroughs in reproductive medicine to help patients become parents of healthy babies. Our Louisiana fertility centers offer preimplantation genetic testing for aneuploidy, PGT-A, in conjunction with IVF as a way to increase the likelihood of transferring chromosomally normal embryos to the uterus. Our fertility specialists partner with accredited genetics laboratories that perform PGT-A. You will sometimes hear this procedure referred to as preimplantation genetic screening, or PGS.
PGT-A can identify embryos with too many or too few chromosomes
Humans are designed to have 23 pairs of chromosomes, inheriting one copy of each chromosome from either parent. However, sometimes embryos are formed with too many or too few chromosomes, which is known as aneuploidy. Embryos with aneuploidy may be born with conditions like Down syndrome or Trisomy 21. In other cases, aneuploidy results in a miscarriage. We are also looking for translocations, in which parts of chromosomes break off and change places with another chromosome.
Preimplantation genetic testing can determine if an embryo has the correct number of chromosomes to develop into a viable pregnancy and a healthy baby. Not only does PGT-A allow the physicians at our Louisiana fertility centers to be 99% certain that an embryo has the correct number and balance of chromosomes, it also allows our fertility specialists to transfer only one embryo at a time, decreasing the chance of having multiples.
The process of preimplantation genetic testing occurs during an IVF cycle
Couples who are interested in PGT undergo a typical IVF cycle with one small difference. Between the steps of fertilization and embryo transfer, a small sample of cells is removed from each embryo five to seven days after egg retrieval. The embryos are then frozen and the samples are sent to a genetics lab for testing. Approximately a week later, our Louisiana fertility centers receive the results and your physician will transfer one of the chromosomally normal eggs to your uterus.
There are several groups of patients who can benefit from PGT-A:
- Women who have experienced recurrent miscarriages
- Women who have had failed IVF cycles
- Women who have reached advanced maternal age
- Couples with a history of unexplained infertility
The most common reason for a first trimester miscarriage is aneuploidy.
When a woman experiences several miscarriages or failed IVF cycles, it makes sense for her to consider PGT-A to determine if chromosomal issues are the reason. Our fertility specialists also recommend screening for women of advanced maternal age, because a woman’s eggs are more likely to contain chromosomal abnormalities as she ages. Genetic screening can provide answers and peace of mind for patients in both of these groups.
If you’d like more information about preimplantation genetic testing, please contact us today. Our knowledgeable and friendly team is here to answer all of your fertility questions.
