Preimplantation
Genetic Diagnosis

Preimplantation Genetic Screening of aneuploidy (PGS) is a procedure that allows the identification of the chromosomal status of embryos produced for assisted reproduction by analysing the 23 pairs of human chromosomes.

The Preimplantation Genetic Screening test used at IVF-Life also uses Next Generation Sequencing to identify embryos without chromosomal abnormalities.

This technique increases the likelihood of pregnancy by transfer of a single embryo transfer, reducing the risk of miscarriage. Likewise, Preimplantation Genetic Diagnosis also enables us to identify the most viable embryo to achieve pregnancy more quickly and to avoid the birth of babies with congenital defects.

We distinguish between Preimplantation Genetic Screening and Diagnosis when one or both of the potential parents carry a genetic disorder (monogenic diseases such as Fragile X syndrome, Huntington’s disease or certain types of sclerosis), when an abnormal karyotype appears or when the couple already has a child with a genetic condition.

PGS/PGD (Preimplantation Genetic Screening for aneuploidies) consists of an embryonic biopsy whereby cells are taken from the developing embryo (around day 5 of growth). Genetic material is taken from inside the cells for analysis to determine if the abnormality is present. This enables us to select an embryo that does not have this defect for transfer to the future mother.