Benefits and considerations of the PGT-A preimplantation genetic test

The Preimplantation Genetic Test (PGT) detects genetic and chromosomal alterations in embryos before their transfer to the uterus and thus prevents the transmission to offspring of serious hereditary diseases and the transfer of embryos that could not lead to a baby. There are three variants of PGT, depending on the alteration that needs to be detected. In this article, we are going to talk about the benefits and considerations of PGT-A, the preimplantation genetic test to detect aneuploidies.

Benefits of PGT-A

1. Shortened time to pregnancy

The PGT allows to discard those embryos that present a genetic alteration and thus transfer only the best quality ones. Therefore, the time elapsed until having a baby at home is shorter, which reduces the stress that many assisted reproduction patients say they feel because they do not know how long it will take until pregnancy.

2. Decreased abortion rate

A high percentage of gestational losses occur due to genetic abnormalities of the embryos. In a conventional way we select the embryos based on their morphology and evolution, but we cannot know if they have any alteration in their DNA. By genetically analyzing them and transferring only embryos that are chromosomally normal, we prevent patients from going through this trance unnecessarily, and we increase the likelihood that a healthy baby will be born.

3. Pregnancy with own gametes

Advanced maternal age is one of the main causes of genetic alterations in embryos. The preimplantation genetic test offers elderly women the possibility of being mothers with their own gametes, without having to resort to donor eggs, and with the peace of mind that the transferred embryos are chromosomally normal.

4. Biopsy in the most advanced stage, that of the blastocyst

Thanks to the fact that at IVI we have the latest technology in our laboratories, we can keep embryos in culture until the most advanced stage of development, that of the blastocyst. This occurs between days 5 and 6 after the ovarian puncture. The main advantage of doing the embryo biopsy and genetic analysis at this time is that it allows us to extract a good number of cells from the embryo without compromising its viability, so that the result we obtain is much more conclusive. In addition, since they are embryos at such an advanced stage (this is when they are ready to implant in the uterus), we know that once transferred to the patient, their viability and probability of giving rise to a pregnancy offers greater guarantees.

5. Medication reduction

With fewer cycles required to achieve pregnancy, the administration of hormones and investment in medication are minimized as much as possible, without affecting the pregnancy options.

6. Less emotional drain

By transferring only genetically healthy embryos, embryo transfers that could not lead to pregnancy or a baby are avoided. Thus, our patients have the assurance that each transfer has the highest chances of success, which reduces their stress and emotional exhaustion. In addition, IVI places a team of psychology professionals at your disposal to offer you the best advice and support throughout the process.

7. Lower economic cost

Although the PGT-A is a test that has an associated additional cost – which is why at IVI we make the FIV Genetic pack available to our patients – by detecting which are genetically healthy embryos, the transfer of those that are not genetically healthy is avoided. could have led to a pregnancy, which entails a lower economic and emotional cost for our patients.

8. More information on why previous cycles failed

Many of the patients who decide to undergo a genetic test have previously suffered miscarriages or embryo transfers that were not implanted, despite the fact that the embryos seemed of good quality and had developed correctly. By having genetic information on the embryos, we can learn more about the possible reason why the previous treatments failed, and our patients can face the next cycle in a more calm and safe way.

Considerations

1. Possibility of a cycle without transfer

In the routine evaluation of embryos, external parameters are taken into account, such as their morphology, or the way in which they divide. By analyzing them genetically, we get a much broader information, and it can happen that embryos with a perfectly “healthy” appearance are genetically abnormal, therefore, they cannot be transferred, so the transfer would be canceled. The PGT-A in these cases allows us to avoid the transfer of embryos that are not going to be implanted, that could not give rise to a healthy baby or that could result in abortion, thus reducing emotional exhaustion for patients and facilitating decision-making based on a diagnosis.

2. Emotional stress

For some of our patients, the decision to carry out a genetic test causes them uneasiness and concern, going through such a process implies considerable emotional stress. At IVI we believe that, to make a decision like this, it is very important to have as much information as possible and also to have the best professional support. For this reason, our patients have at their disposal our specialists, who can offer them genetic and psychological counseling.

3. Embryo biopsy

Although PGT is an invasive procedure, since it consists of the biopsy (extraction) of some cells from the embryo, thanks to the high technical capabilities of our professionals and the use of the most advanced techniques, IVI is able to minimize risks. In addition, we biopsy the embryos on day 5, when we are already sure that their development has been correct. The fact of doing the biopsy in this advanced stage of embryonic development also allows us to extract a greater number of cells, obtaining more conclusive results.

4. Vitrification of embryos

While waiting for the results of the PGT, it is necessary to freeze the embryos until knowing which of them are chromosomally normal and thus being able to transfer them at the appropriate time in a later cycle. The freezing technique we use is vitrification, with a survival rate of 98%, so we do not compromise the viability of our embryos by cryopreserving them while waiting for the genetic report.

5. Reliability of the results

Currently, no preimplantation test offers 100% security in the detection of chromosomal and genetic alterations. However, PGT offers the highest reliability rates of results, currently at 99%, making it the best alternative to ensure that the baby will be born without genetic diseases.