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Preimplantation Genetic Testing

Preimplantation genetic testing (PGT) has revolutionized the field of reproductive medicine, offering couples and individuals a powerful tool to screen embryos for genetic abnormalities before they are implanted during in vitro fertilization (IVF) procedures. PGT provides invaluable insights into the genetic health of embryos, empowering prospective parents to make informed decisions and increase the chances of a healthy pregnancy.

Preconception/Prenatal/Genetic Screening

Preconception, prenatal, and genetic screening are key steps in identifying the risk of transmitting infections or genetic problems to babies. Screening tests often allow for the timely initiation of interventions to prevent these problems from occurring. Without this information, we cannot identify those problems or help patients have the best chances for a healthy pregnancy and baby. We highly recommend these tests for ALL infertility patients.

Prenatal Screening Includes:

  • Complete Blood Count (CBC)
  • Hepatitis B
  • Hepatitis C
  • HIV (AIDs)
  • RPR (Syphilis)
  • Genprobe (Gonorrhea/Chlamydia)
  • Blood type and Rh neg or positive
  • Rubella titre (German Measles)
  • Varicella titre (Chicken Pox)

Genetic screening checks for major health issues that a patient may carry in their genes, which they would not realize they had. A patient often will not have a known family history of disease when they are a carrier. It is important to test each female patient to see if she is a silent carrier of these conditions. These conditions can also affect the embryo’s implantation and growth, leading to pregnancy loss or inability to become pregnant. For the highest chance of a healthy pregnancy and live birth, it is important that every fertility patient have a genetic carrier screening. This is done with a simple blood draw that is sent to Myriad Clinical Laboratory for analysis.

The Reproductive Medicine Group physicians recommend genetic screening (through Myriad Clinical Laboratory). It is called the Foresight Carrier Screen and is used to detect mutations associated with more than 175 serious conditions that fall into one of the following categories:

  • Conditions where early treatment can make a difference (such as phenylketonuria (PKU))
  • Conditions that cause intellectual disability (such as Fragile X syndrome)
  • Conditions that shorten lifespan (such as Bloom Syndrome)
  • Conditions where there are limited to no treatment options available (such as Tay-Sachs disease)

A full list of genetic conditions screened is available at myriadwomenshealth.com/foresight/diseases.

Preimplantation Genetic Testing for Aneuploidy (PGT-A)

Preimplantation Genetic Testing for Aneuploidy (PGT-A) is a genetic test used to screen embryos for chromosomal abnormalities. PGT-A involves the biopsy of a small number of cells from an embryo’s outer layer at the blastocyst stage, typically on the fifth or sixth day of development. Known as the trophoblast, the outer layer of the embryo later develops into the placenta; the part of the embryo that develops into the fetus (i.e., the inner cell mass) is not affected by the biopsy whatsoever.

Once biopsied, the cells are then analyzed to determine if the embryo has an abnormal number of chromosomes, a condition known as aneuploidy. Aneuploidy can lead to various genetic disorders, including conditions like Down syndrome, Turner syndrome, and others.

By identifying embryos with the correct number of chromosomes, PGT-A helps in selecting embryos that are more likely to result in a successful pregnancy and a healthy baby, while reducing the likelihood of implantation failure and miscarriage. PGT-A can be particularly beneficial for individuals and couples with a history of recurrent miscarriages, advanced maternal age, or previous unsuccessful IVF cycles.

Explore Preimplantation Genetic Testing in Florida

The Reproductive Medicine Group has many years of experience utilizing various forms of preimplantation genetic testing to help individuals and couples achieve their family-building dreams. With fertility clinic locations in North Tampa, South Tampa, Brandon, Clearwater, and Wesley Chapel, our expert team of fertility specialists is ready to answer all your questions and provide personalized fertility care. Schedule a consultation with The Reproductive Medicine Group.