Preimplantation Genetic Screening or PGS Testing
– A screening process that ensures there are normal chromosome numbers and detects potential genetic disorders.
Preimplantation Genetic Diagnosis or PGD Testing
– A cell is removed from an embryo to test for specific genetic conditions (i.e. cystic fibrosis) before transferring the embryo into the uterus.
Screening for healthy embryos will increase your pregnancy success rate. Both procedures are 99.9% accurate.
After the egg has been fertilized, embryos are transferred into a fluid that allows them to develop for several days ... Read More
When the embryos are ready for PGS and PGD testing, six to eight cells are extracted from the embryo (usually after day 5 or 6) ...Read More
Genetic testing is usually completed within one day of the embryo biopsy, which allows for a timely embryo transfer ...Read More
Our highly experienced embryologists and lab specialists have over 30 years of combined experience. They have tackled some of the toughest fertility cases and have conducted numerous PGS and PGD testing procedures.
Our location in San Diego has a state-of-the-art lab onsite as well as a full-time laboratory director. This allows us to be efficient and time everything perfectly. We can perform a PGS testing/biopsy on each patient’s embryo when it’s safest to do so, based on the embryo’s quality and stage of development.
Having an experienced team gives you the best chance for a successful pregnancy.
Preimplantation Genetic Screening (PGS) is a test that is used to determine the number of chromosomes in an embryo. It is designed to check for chromosomal changes that can prevent the embryo from implanting or lead to a miscarriage.
Preimplantation Genetic Diagnosis (PGD), on the other hand, is designed to check for mutations that cause disease, like, Cystic Fibrosis, Huntington’s Disease, etc. PGD is customized to each patient’s case and can help eliminate or (substantially lower) the risk of transferring a dangerous mutation from parent to offspring.
Depending on the laboratory, it can take between 12 hours to 30 days to get the results of PGD and PGS testing. The report is then forwarded to your fertility doctor who will advise you on which embryos are genetically normal and are more likely to result in a healthy pregnancy.
Undergoing PGD or PGS can raise the chances of a successful pregnancy and significantly lower the likelihood of a genetic disease. Pre-natal diagnostic testing can be carried out to verify the results from PGD or PGS after conception has been achieved.
If you would like to know whether you are a candidate for genetic testing, please click here to schedule a consultation with our fertility specialist.
PSG is a specialized diagnostic technique to check for chromosomal abnormalities in embryos. It helps identify which of the embryos is best for transfer.
PGS is often recommended for women with two or more consecutive pregnancy losses, women who are older or whose ovaries are not working properly, or those who have had several fertility treatment failures.
Some hopeful parents may also decide to undergo PGS testing for personal reasons. If you aren’t sure whether you should opt for genetic screening, please click here to schedule a consultation with our fertility expert.
The human body is composed of cells and within these cells are chromosomes. Chromosomes are threadlike structures in the cells that contain our genetic material (also known as genes). Our genes consist of DNA (deoxyribonucleic acid) and include the information that enables our bodies to grow and work properly. Our genes and chromosomes are inherited from our parents through the sperm and egg.
If you decide to do PGS, you will first undergo an IVF cycle to produce embryos. We will then remove some cells from each embryo for genetic testing.
An embryo biopsy involves the removal of a small number of cells from the outermost layer of a day five embryo. At this developmental stage, the embryo is referred to as a blastocyst, so the technique may also be called a blastocyst biopsy.
You don’t have to worry about your embryos being damaged as a result of PGS testing. Blastocyst biopsy and embryo micromanipulation procedures are performed in fertility laboratories all around the world and have been employed in genetic cases for many years. Studies conducted so far have indicated that these procedures are 100% safe and do not cause any increased risk to babies born from “tested” embryos.
As women’s age increases, the number of eggs with chromosomal abnormalities also increases. PGS is carried out to check embryos for these abnormalities before they are transferred. The number one reason for IVF failure is chromosomal disorders of the transferred embryos, which often lead to miscarriage. By carrying out PGS, we can make sure the embryos are genetically normal before they are transferred, thereby significantly lowering the chance of pregnancy loss during the first three months of conception.
If you aren’t sure whether you are a good candidate for genetic screening, please click here to schedule a consultation so our fertility expert can give you some guidance.
PGD is a specialized technique that is used for genetic testing of an embryo prior to its transfer. If a genetic disease runs in your family, we can perform PGD during IVF to select embryos without the disease for transfer, minimizing the risk of transferring it to your babies.
Every hopeful parent can benefit from embryo genetic testing. It raises the success chances of a fertility treatment cycle and makes sure you transfer a genetically normal embryo. If you aren’t sure whether you should do genetic screening, please click here to schedule a consultation with our fertility expert.
Chromosomal conditions are usually caused by changes in the number or structure of the chromosomes, i.e., having additional or missing genetic material. Severe chromosome issues can cause miscarriage or inability to get pregnant. If a child with a chromosomal abnormality is born, he/she might have mental retardation and developmental problems. Women older than 35 are at higher risk of having pregnancies affected with chromosomal disorders. A genetic condition occurs when one of the person’s genes is not functioning properly. There are various types of genetic conditions. Hopeful couples who are at risk of having a pregnancy that’s affected with a genetic condition are good candidates for preimplantation genetic diagnosis (PGD).
After you have completed an IVF cycle, we are going to take some cells from the embryos and check them for the particular genetic condition or illness. Embryos that don’t have this condition can then be transferred.
Email us at family@fertile.com if you have any questions before signing up for a consultation. Our expert team is happy to assist you.
You will travel to our San Diego location with all necessary expenses covered. One of our skilled physicians will retrieve the eggs vaginally through a minimally invasive procedure.
You’ll find your perfect match through our extensive donor database. Whether you are looking for a donor with high IQ, specific aesthetics, gifts or talents, our matching program assures you select the characteristics most important to you.
Your journey to parenthood will be shorter and more predictable because of our Egg Bank. Quality donor eggs are frozen through vitrification and stored in our on-site laboratory. Electing to use bank to eggs puts you in control of your timeline, since they are available for immediate use. Additionally, selecting donors from our bank eliminates waiting time and unforeseen setbacks. You will maximize success rates due to a guaranteed yield of high quality, mature eggs.
The day after hatching, the embryo is transferred to the uterus where it will hopefully implant and result in a successful pregnancy.
The embryo is held with a specialized holding pipette. A very delicate, hollow needle is used to expel the acidic solution against the outer “shell” (zona pellucida) of the embryo. The acidic solution creates a small hole in the shell.
When the embryos are ready for PGS and PGD testing, six to eight cells are extracted from the embryo (usually after day 5 or 6). This is called a blastocyst biopsy. During the biopsy, our laboratory technician uses a narrow biopsy pipette to remove cells from the outer layer of cells (trophectoderm). The embryologist will then freeze the embryo and wait for the test results.
Genetic testing is usually completed within one day of the embryo biopsy, which allows for a timely embryo transfer. During this step, chromosomes are inspected for genetic abnormalities.
After the egg has been fertilized, embryos are transferred into a fluid that allows them to develop for several days. On day three, the healthy embryos should have developed into eight cells.
Upon your arrival, you will check in with a Patient Care Coordinator.
