Gender Selection and Genetic PGD Protocol

Pre-Implantation Genetic Diagnosis (PGD) is a technique that can be added to In Vitro Fertilization, Egg Donation, and Gestational Surrogacy treatments. With this method, the prospective parents will know the gender of each embryo with close to 100% accuracy prior to their transfer into the uterus.

 

This procedure can also identify genetically abnormal embryos. There are many incurable diseases or disorders which are genetically based, such as chromosome translocations, deletions, and inversions including Cystic Fibrosis, Fragile X, Myotonic Dystrophy, Thalassaemia, Tay-Sachs disease, and others. Using PGD it is possible to select only embryos that do not have a chromosomal abnormality for which they were analyzed.

 

PGD requires the creation of embryos by In Vitro Fertilization, Egg Donation, or Gestational Surrogacy treatment. Please use these links for description of treatment stages prior to PGD.

 

Pre-Implantation Genetic Diagnosis consists of:

1. Removal of embryonic cells.
2. Embryonic chromosomal analysis.
3. Extended embryo culture.

1. Removal of Embryonic Cells

    

   Once embryos reach the five to eight cell stage (three days after egg retrieval), an embryo biopsy is performed by creating an opening in the egg shell around the embryo.

    

   Since at this stage any cell inside the embryo has full developmental potential, it is possible to safely remove a single cell through this opening using a micropipette. The procedure is performed under a special microscope with micromanipulators.

    

2. Embryonic Chromosomal Analysis

    

   After the biopsy, the embryos are placed back in an incubator to await the results of the genetic analysis. The biopsied cell's chromosomes are then analyzed.

    

3. Extended Embryo Culture

    

   The genetic analysis takes approximately one to two days. Once the result of the PGD analysis is obtained, embryo(s) of the desired gender and/or that did not show chromosomal abnormalities for which they were analyzed is/are transferred. The embryos are typically transferred at the morula (day 4) or blastocyst (day 5) stage.

    

   The accuracy of PGD cell analysis approaches 100%, but it is not guaranteed. It is possible, even though highly unlikely, that an embryo that has tested as normal may not be genetically perfect.

    

   So far, there is no evidence that PGD embryos result in an increased probability of abnormalities in the baby or that the risk of birth defects is higher than the usual risk of abnormalities (2% to 4%) when compared to conceptions that occur spontaneously.

If you have any questions regarding Pre-Implantation Genetic Diagnosis or to request an appointment, please contact us by phone at 650-322-0500, via email at care@BayIVF.com, or use the Contact Bay IVF Center form on this page.