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Preimplantation Genetic Testing, PGT

Preimplantation genetic testing can help you bring home a healthy baby

Advances in reproductive medicine allow Susan Hudson MD to help her patients overcome the complex causes of infertility. One of these advanced treatments is preimplantation genetic testing. Patients can opt to have our embryologists perform PGT on their embryos as part of an IVF cycle. Doing so can increase the likelihood of having a healthy baby.

What are the different types of PGT?

Preimplantation genetic testing is a general term. Our New Braunfels fertility specialist uses this term to refer to genetic testing for IVF embryos. Depending on her patients’ wants and needs, Dr. Hudson will recommend one of the following types of PGT.

PGT-A looks for chromosomal abnormalities within each embryo. It can help our team determine which embryos have the correct number of chromosomes and which ones do not. It can also identify which embryos are male and which ones are female.

PGT-M is a type of genetic testing that looks for specific monogenic, or single gene, mutations that cause inheritable genetic disorders. Dr. Hudson recommends this type of preimplantation genetic testing for patients who have or carry a specific inheritable illness.

PGT-SR can identify embryos with translocations and inversions. When an embryo has a translocation or inversion, pieces of the embryo’s DNA have attached in the wrong place or order, which can cause problems like miscarriage.

How does the laboratory perform preimplantation genetic testing?

Each type of PGT must occur as part of an IVF cycle. This means that the woman who is providing the eggs will take ovarian stimulation medications before undergoing an egg retrieval procedure. Embryologists in the IVF lab will combine the eggs with sperm from the intended father or a sperm donor.

Next, the embryologists will carefully take a small biopsy from each embryo on Day 5, 6 or 7 of development. From there, they can perform the specific type of preimplantation genetic testing that the patient has requested. The embryos will remain frozen during this time.

Once the PGT results are available, Dr. Hudson will work with each patient to determine which healthy embryo to transfer. The remaining healthy embryos can remain in frozen storage until the patients are ready to use them for future pregnancies.

If you would like to learn more about IVF and PGT, contact us for an appointment with our New Braunfels fertility specialist. She can help you develop the perfect family-building plan for you.