Preimplantation Genetic Diagnosis (PGD)

A normal embryo must have forty-six chromosomes in the correct combination to be viable. As a woman ages, the number of eggs remaining in her ovaries decrease and the ones that remain are more likely to give rise to embryos with abnormal chromosome counts (aneuploidy). Preimplantation Genetic Diagnosis (PGD) is a method used to screen embryos for aneuploidy. In this technique, a single cell is removed from the embryo when it is three days old. The biopsied cell then undergoes genetic or chromosomal analysis.

In this technique, a single cell is removed from the embryo when it is three days old. The biopsied cell then undergoes genetic or chromosomal analysis. SMFS now offers a new method to accurately identify the parental origin of embryos, screen for the presence of all 24 chromosomes and identify the gender of the embryo if desired. Results are available in 48 hours, thus allowing fresh embryo transfer. Another method called CGH (Comparative Genomic Hybridization) is also offered by SMFS. This method is also accurate but requires more time to analyze the embryo cell.

PGD also makes it possible to select gender, a procedure we discuss in greater detail in the gender selection section of this website. For more information, please see gender selection.