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IVF with Smart PGT-A Plus

 

 

 

 

 

IVF with pre-implantation genetic testing for aneuploidy (or PGT-A) is an assisted reproductive technique that genetically analyses the genetic make-up of embryos before transfer.

It helps to select healthy embryos, which improves the chances of evolutionary pregnancy. It is indicated for couples with a history of recurrent miscarriage or high chromosomal risk, as well as in women over 37 years of age or in case of genetic alterations in the sperm. It has a 60-70% success rate per transfer.

 

IVF with PGT-A is an assisted reproductive treatment in which embryos are generated and, once generated, are genetically tested to find out whether they have a chromosomal abnormality. For this purpose, an IVF treatment is carried out, with ovarian stimulation and subsequent oocyte retrieval. Embryos generated from these oocytes and left in culture. When these embryos reach the blastocyst stage, an embryo biopsy is performed for carrying out the genetic study.

In this treatment, once the chromosomally normal embryo is obtained (euploid), the uterus is prepared for placement (embryo transfer). After obtaining a euploid embryo, the rate of gestation by embryo transfer is 60-70%. 

Difficulties with this treatment are due to advanced maternal age and low ovarian reserve. For this reason, in some cases, your doctor may recommend embryo banking.

At Fertty, we use Smart PGT-A plus technology, which provides ample information compared to other PGT-A technologies. In addition to being able to detect alterations in the number of chromosomes (and parts of chromosomes), it can also detect whether there is an extra or missing endowment of the whole chromosome set, known as ploidy alteration. But in addition to the extended diagnosis, this analysis can detect contamination in the samples analysed and allows us to confirm the kinship between embryos, which adds to the safety and reliability of the test.

STAGES OF THE PROCEDURE
01 Previous Tests

Tests that the doctor deems appropriate must be completed before treatment can begin. These are usually analysis and seminogram (if applicable). 

02 Procedure

Ovarian stimulation: For 10-12 days, the woman must take the prescribed medication and attend the necessary ultrasound check-ups in order to obtain the maximum number of oocytes for that cycle.

Ovarian puncture: Egg retrieval under sedation.

Generation of embryos by IVF and embryo culture up to the blastocyst stage.

Embryo biopsy: Obtaining the embryo cells necessary for the genetic study. After biopsy, the embryos are vitrified while awaiting the results of the study.

Result of genetic study: Information is provided on the chromosomal endowment of the embryo. If a euploid embryo (chromosomally normal) is obtained, the embryo will move on to the next stage. If not, treatment must be repeated or therapeutic strategy must be changed.

Endometrial preparation: The preparation of the endometrium (inner layer of the uterus) for the transfer begins with the menstrual period and will again require several gynaecological ultrasounds. Medication may be required and will be prescribed by your doctor.

Embryo transfer: When the endometrium is prepared, the embryo transfer takes place. On that day, the embryo reported as euploid is thawed and, by means of an ultrasound-guided procedure, the embryo is positioned in the most suitable place in the uterus for implantation.

Procedure
03 Gestational Control

Pregnancy test: Approximately 11 days after the transfer, a pregnancy test is performed to show whether the patient is pregnant or not.

Confirmation ultrasound: If the pregnancy test is positive, an ultrasound scan is carried out after 2 weeks to confirm that the pregnancy is proceeding correctly.

IVF with PGT-A is an assisted reproduction treatment in which embryos are generated and, once generated, they are genetically tested to determine if they present any chromosomal abnormality.

WHO IS IT FOR?

  • There are some circumstances in reproduction where the risk of genetic abnormality of the embryo is increased. The most frequent is when the woman’s age is over 35-37 years, and this is the main indication for PGT-A.
  • Other causes of high risk of abnormalities would be an alteration in sperm genetic testing (FISH).
  • Finally, there are other circumstances in which it is vitally important to know the carrier status of the embryo’s genetic pathology, such as recurrent implantation failure or repeated miscarriage.

SUCCESS RATES

In the cases in which pre-implantation genetic diagnosis of the embryos was carried out, the rate of pregnancy in the first transfer was 67.4%. This clinical pregnancy rate in the first transfer was 68.4% in women aged 35 or under, 66.7% in women aged between 36 and 39 and 67% in women aged 40 or over.

FAQs

Yes, you can lead a normal life during treatment, except for a few days before and after the puncture. You cannot have sexual relations or engage in high-intensity physical exercise. Ovarian stimulation is a treatment that is very well tolerated by patients. During this process, you may experience abdominal distension, breast turgor and/or a certain degree of tiredness. On the day of the egg retrieval (ovarian puncture) you will have to rest and will not be able to work.

Depending on your characteristics, mainly your ovarian reserve and your age, it may be necessary to obtain more eggs than your ovary produces in a single stimulation cycle in order to obtain a genetically normal embryo. Consult our doctors and biologists for your particular statistics.

Ovarian freezing techniques have improved a lot in recent times. Currently, ultra-rapid freezing techniques are used which allow us to have a 98% survival rate on thawing.

It seems that anything that reduces oxidative stress in the cell, by reducing free radicals, could reduce the chances of having an aneuploid (chromosomally abnormal) embryo. There are several mechanisms for reducing oxidative stress, such as a healthy diet, the use of antioxidants and vitamin supplements, and physical exercise. However, the most determining factor in aneuploidy is the woman’s age, as the passage of time has a much greater influence on the production of genetic alterations in the oocyte than any supplementation or action we can take at this time.

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