Pre Implantation Genetic Diagnosis ( PGD )

Pre-implantation genetic diagnosis (PGD) is a reproductive technology used with an IVF cycle. PGD can be used for diagnosis of a genetic disease in early embryos prior to implantation and pregnancy. In addition, this technology can be utilized in the field of assisted reproduction for aneuploidy screening and diagnosis of unbalanced inheritance of chromosome abnormalities, such as translocations or inversions.

Normal In-Vitro Fertilization treatments will occur where eggs will be collected and fertilized.
Embryos will be given the chance to grow three days or five days.
Cells will be removed via a biopsy procedure by an embryologist
The cells are tested to see if the embryo from which they were removed contains the gene that causes the genetic condition in the family.
The embryo unaffected by the condition is transferred
The remaining healthy embryos can be frozen.
Many couples have benefitted from the use of PGD. PGD may be helpful for you if you have following indications:
.A prior pregnancy with a chromosome abnormality
.Several failed IVF cycles
.Carrying a balanced structural chromosome re-arrangement
.Have an autosomal dominant genetic disease such as Marfan syndrome
.Carrying a recessive genetic disease such as Cystic Fibrosis

A prior pregnancy with a chromosome abnormality

The risk for a pregnancy with aneuploidy (too many or too few chromosomes, such as Down syndrome) increases with maternal age. Following a chromosomally abnormal pregnancy, the risk for a similar problem to occur again in any subsequent pregnancy is elevated regardless of maternal age. For some couples at an elevated risk, it may be difficult to consider conceiving a future pregnancy. PGD for aneuploidy can reduce the likelihood of a chromosome abnormality in a future pregnancy and increases the chance of achieving an ongoing successful pregnancy.

Several failed IVF cycles

IVF frequently enables couples with infertility to achieve successful pregnancies. Some couples, even after numerous IVF attempts, are unable to become pregnant. Some cases of IVF failure are due to the transfer of embryos with chromosome abnormalities. PGD for aneuploidy can reduce the likelihood of a chromosome abnormality in a future pregnancy and increases the chance of achieving an ongoing successful pregnancy.

Carrying a balanced structural chromosome rearrangement

A member of a couple may carry a balanced translocation (exchange of chromosome material between two or more chromosomes), a Robertsonian translocation (the joining of two chromosomes) or other structural re-arrangements. This increases the risk for a pregnancy with an unbalanced chromosome complement, which can cause birth defects, mental retardation, and/or miscarriage. PGD for structural chromosome rearrangements allows couples to decrease these risks and to increase the chance of a healthy ongoing pregnancy.

Have an autosomal dominant genetic disease such as Marfan syndrome

A person who has an autosomal dominant genetic condition has a 50% chance of having a pregnancy with the same condition. Prenatal diagnosis by amniocentesis or chorionic villus sampling often allows diagnosis of the genetic disease during pregnancy. However, many couples do not want to be faced with making a decision regarding the outcome of their pregnancy. PGD is available for many autosomal dominant genetic disorders.

Carrying a recessive genetic disease such as cystic fibrosis

Couples who carry a mutation for the same autosomal recessive genetic condition have a 25% chance to have a pregnancy with this genetic disease. Prenatal diagnosis by amniocentesis or chorionic villus sampling often allows diagnosis of the genetic disease during pregnancy. However, many couples do not want to face the decision of ending an ongoing pregnancy for a genetic disease. PGD is available for many autosomal recessive genetic disorders.