Preimplantation genetic diagnosis (PGD) is a reproductive technology used with an IVF cycle to increase the potential for a successful pregnancy and delivery. It is a genetic test on cells removed from embryos, to help select the best embryo(s) for pregnancy or to be free of a genetic disease.
Who should consider PGD?
PGD may be considered in all IVF cycles; however, those who might benefit most from this test are couples at increased risk for chromosome abnormalities or specific genetic diseases.
women who have had several miscarriages, who have had a prior pregnancy with a chromosome abnormality.
Women over 38 years of age men with some types of sperm abnormalities may also produce embryos with higher rates of chromosome abnormalities.
Is biopsy and PGD safe?
Yes. Data from many years of PGD in animals and thousands of live births in humans indicate that PGD does not lead to an increase in birth defects over that of the general population. In embryos where chromosomal microarray testing is performed, one can expect fewer pregnancies with chromosomal disorders since most chromosomal disorders are identified prior to transfer of the embryos to the uterus. Removal of a few of the cells of the early embryo does not alter the ability of that embryo to develop into a complete, normal pregnancy.