PGT-A+ Is a New Kind of Genetic Testing for Embryos
If you need IVF to conceive, genetic testing of your embryos is an option you can choose to increase your chances of having a healthy child. Our San Antonio fertility center offers several types of preimplantation genetic testing, including PGT-A+, which is a new and highly advanced type of genetic test to identify aneuploid embryos.
A chromosomally normal embryo has 46 chromosomes, with 23 from the egg and 23 from the sperm. These embryos are called “euploid,” and offer the best chance of IVF success. Aneuploid embryos do not have the correct number of chromosomes. These embryos present a higher risk of miscarriage and of children born with chromosome-related medical conditions, such as Down syndrome or Trisomy 13. A third category is the “mosaic” embryo, which contains a mix of chromosomally normal and abnormal cells.
PGT-A+ can not only identify whether each embryo has the correct number of chromosomes, but can also tell us whether the chromosome abnormality comes from the sperm or the egg, or whether it is the result of a random cell-division error. Identifying where the abnormality comes from can help us customize a couple’s fertility treatment plan to maximize the chances of having a healthy baby.
How is PGT-A+ performed?
If you’re interested in PGT-A+ in San Antonio, we have all the resources needed to perform this test as part of your IVF cycle.
To perform the test, our Ovation® Fertility IVF lab will remove a few sample cells from each embryo’s outer layer, or trophectoderm, at the blastocyst stage. This biopsy does not damage the inner cell mass, which would develop into a fetus after implantation. Once the sample cells are removed, they are sent to our specialized Genetics reference lab to undergo testing, a process that can take several weeks. The embryos are cryopreserved and stored safely while we wait for the results.
Unlike standard PGT-A, this test also requires both partners to provide saliva samples, which will be used in the testing process to identify the origin of any chromosome abnormalities.
PGT-A+ is a highly reliable genetic test, providing a 98% to 99% accuracy rate. Based on the test results, our physicians and IVF lab team can identify which embryos are chromosomally normal, so that only those can be transferred to the uterus to develop and grow. Aneuploid embryos are typically discarded, and mosaic embryos are not recommended for use when normal embryos are available.
Who needs testing for aneuploid embryos?
Anyone who is concerned about transferring a chromosomally abnormal embryo, for any reason, should consider adding PGT-A+ to their IVF cycle. It is a good option for anyone who wishes to achieve pregnancy faster, as it reduces the risk of IVF failure or miscarriage from transferring aneuploid embryos. It also provides peace of mind that a child born from a euploid embryo will not have a chromosome disorder that could affect their quality of life.
This test is especially valuable in certain situations.
- Women who are 35 or older
- People who have experienced one or more failed IVF cycles
- People who already have a child born with a genetic condition
- Women who have experienced two or more miscarriages
- People who have unexplained infertility, meaning fertility tests have found no identifiable reason for their inability to conceive
Learn about PGT-A+ in San Antonio
If you would like to learn more about genetic testing or are looking for PGT-A+ in San Antonio, we would be happy to meet with you. Contact us to schedule a consultation with an experienced Texas Fertility Center reproductive endocrinologist.