A couple who undergoes fertility treatment may be advised to have their embryos tested genetically before they are implanted. The tests conducted on embryos are Preimplantation Genetic Diagnosis (PGD) and Preimplantation Genetic Screening (PGS). Later, only the embryos free of genetic abnormalities are implanted in the woman’s uterus.
What is PGD?
You should consider undergoing this test at the best fertility clinic in Ahmedabad. PGD is a type of genetic screening to detect genes linked to specific diseases. If the man or the woman has a family history of a certain genetic disease, it can help ensure that the child born will not have the condition.
In many cases, a person may only be a gene carrier. Some of the diseases that PGD can detect during IVF for pregnancy include Huntington’s Disease, mental retardation or birth defects, Cystic Fibrosis, Marfan Syndrome, Hemophilia, Duchenne Muscular Dystrophy, exchange of chromosomal material that may cause a miscarriage, and abnormal number of chromosomes.
What is PGS?
This test is used to determine if the embryonic cells have the right number of chromosomes. Healthy humans have 23 pairs of chromosomes. Usually, IVF treatment has a risk of multiple pregnancies. Usually, two to three embryos are implanted in the uterus to maximise the probability of a successful pregnancy.
If PGS is conducted before implantation, it may be possible to implant only one embryo and avoid the risk of multiple pregnancies. Having more or less than the normal number of chromosomes is one of the most common reasons why embryos fail to implant in the uterus, leading to miscarriages.
Who can undergo them?
The risk of abnormal numbers of chromosomes increases as a woman ages. Thus, this test is usually recommended for women who are above 35 years of age, have a history of recurrent miscarriages, and are trying to have a family through IVF at a fertility hospital in Ahmedabad.
PGS cannot be used to test for specific diseases. It is a much simpler test than PGD. However, it can be used to detect Down Syndrome, which is caused by an extra chromosome, Trisomy 21, in the person’s DNA. This screening may be used to select the child’s gender at the best fertility clinic in Ahmedabad.
While these tests are not essential, the cost of undergoing them is usually not included in the IVF cycle costs. These tests use an amniotic fluid sample, usually taken on day three after the embryo culture. When this sample is taken, the embryo’s health is at risk. If the embryo gets damaged, it will not result in a successful pregnancy. The PGS test requires samples of five to six embryos.
Conclusion
Not all couples undergoing IVF are advised to take both tests. Their necessity depends on whether the couple has had earlier unsuccessful IVF cycles, their medical history, a family history of genetic diseases, miscarriages, etc. Hence, it is important to work with a good fertility centre hiring expert doctors to perform these tests, if required.