Infertility problems

What matters is inside

Because what matters is inside, the best embryos cannot always be detected upon simple visualization. In some cases it is necessary to analyse their chromosomal content using techniques such as the Preimplantation Genetic Test, which facilitate pregnancy upon detecting what embryos have the greatest chances of development.

What happens in Preimplantation Genetic Test?

The Preimplantation Genetic Test (PGT for its acronym in English) is the technique previously known as Preimplantation Genetic Diagnosis (PGD). Is performed on the embryo before it is implanted in the womb. PGT provides information on the condition of each of the embryos conceived and only allows the healthy ones to be transferred to the womb. The PGT technique is the result of the combination of in vitro fertilisation and genetic analysis.

How is PGT?

  1. In Vitro Fertilization to obtain embryos.
  2. Embryo Biopsy. The biopsy can be performed during the third day of the embryo development, or between the fifth and sixth day when it has already reached the blastocyst stage.
  3. Genetic analysis. The sample obtained by biopsy is processed in order to be analysed and subject to a genetic study by NGS.
  4. Embryo Transfer. The result of the genetic analysis is transmitted to the Assisted Reproduction Team through a detailed report informing which embryos have been chosen to be transferred according to the PGT result and the morphological characteristics of the embryos’ viability. If the biopsy is performed on the third day of development, the embryo transfer to the womb can be done immediately after the analysis, normally 5 days after the egg retrieval. When the biopsy is performed between the fifth and the sixth day of development, it will be necessary to freeze the embryos and schedule the transfer at a later stage.

Can the embryo be harmed by extracting a cell from it?

When the biopsy is performed, each embryo cell contains all the genetic information, so extraction of a cell does not affect the correct development of the rest of the embryo cells.

This technique requires high precision, and when carried out by experts it does not alter the development of the embryo. The risk of embryonic block is 0.67%.

In couples with infertility problems, who benefits from a PGT cycle?

It is advisable to request this technique in the following cases:

  • Women over 37.
  • Sterile patients with two or more IVF cycles without pregnancy.
  • Patients with repeated miscarriage (with 2 or more previous miscarriages).
  • Patients with a severe male factor.
  • Patients with altered meiosis or altered FISH in spermatozoa.
  • Patients with altered karyotypes (carriers of chromosomal reorganizations).

Why is this study important?

Most embryos with chromosomal abnormalities (embryos with extra or missing chromosomes):

  • DO NOT lead to pregnancy.
  • Are implanted but result in spontaneous miscarriage in the first trimester of pregnancy.
  • A small percentage of them develop and lead to a child affected by a disease.

Therefore, Preimplantation Genetic Diagnosis benefits a lot of the patients who consult infertility centres since:

  • The possibility of pregnancy is increased.
  • The risk of spontaneous miscarriage is reduced.
  • The risk of having to have a termination is reduced.

Which are the most common numerical chromosome abnormalities?

The most common chromosomal syndromes that can lead to a child affected by some form of disease are:

  • Down’s Syndrome (trisomy 21)
  • Patau Syndrome (trisomy 13)
  • Edwards Syndrome (trisomy 18)
  • Klinefelter Syndrome (47, XXY)
  • Turner’s Syndrome (45, X)
  • XXX Women
  • XYY Men