PGD

What is PGD?

Preimplantation genetic diagnosis (PGD), also referred to as preimplantation genetic testing (PGT), is a procedure done during in vitro fertilization to identify genetic defects in an embryo before it’s implanted into a woman’s uterus.

With PGD, you virtually eliminate the risk of chromosomal abnormalities such as Down syndrome (trisomy 21), trisomy 18, and sex chromosome abnormalities like Fragile X syndrome. The test also identifies genetically based incurable diseases such as cystic fibrosis, muscular dystrophy, and Tay-Sachs disease.

When might I need PGD?

PGD allows you to choose embryos that don’t carry chromosomal or genetic problems, which increases your chance of a successful pregnancy and a healthy baby.

PGD is often used to:

Improve IVF success and determine the cause of infertility

Studies suggest that genetic problems play a role in 10% of infertile women and 15% of infertile men. Chromosomal abnormalities often contribute to unsuccessful IVF cycles, miscarriage, and implantation failure.

Prevent passing down an inherited condition

Many couples choose PGD when they have a family history of inherited disorders, they know that one or both parents carry a disease, or they had a baby with a genetic or chromosomal abnormality.

How is PGD performed?

PGD is performed on embryos when you have IVF. During IVF, women take medications to stimulate egg production in their ovaries. Then your NOVA IVF doctor removes the mature eggs and fertilizes them with your partner’s or a donor’s sperm in the laboratory.

The fertilized eggs grow for 3-6 days, producing embryos that are large enough to undergo PGD. The embryologist at NOVA IVF removes a few cells from the embryos and runs one of two possible tests, depending on whether the cells are removed at three days or six days.

The embryos that had a three-day biopsy go back into the incubator for 2-3 days, until the specialized PGD lab provides the test results. Then embryos that do not have a genetic problem are implanted in the woman’s uterus. If the embryos have a biopsy after six days, they’re frozen, and a frozen embryo transfer is scheduled for a later date.

PGD analysis produces results that are nearly 100% accurate, but they’re not guaranteed. Though it’s highly unlikely, it’s possible that an embryo that tested as normal may have a genetic abnormality. 

To learn more about PGD, call NOVA IVF or schedule an appointment online.