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Preimplantation Genetic Diagnosis

Preimplantation Genetic Diagnosis (PGD) can be divided into classic preimplantation genetic diagnosis used for fertile couples who are carriers of a genetic disease and genetic screening (PGS) for infertile couples.

Preimplantation genetic diagnosis is performed on embryos that are either on the third day of their development or at the blastocyst stage, which requires the woman to undergo ovarian hyperstimulation and in vitro fertilization. By creating a small opening with a laser in the outer protective cover of the embryo (biopsy), located at the 8-cell stage, a blastomere is removed for genetic testing. When the biopsy is performed at the blastocyst stage, cells from the trophectoderm (which forms the placenta) are removed for genetic testing.

  • PGS (Preimplantation Genetic Screening)

Preimplantation Genetic Screening is recommended to couples that are in an IVF program with recurrent failures in IVF, advanced maternal age, repeated pregnancy loss or severe male factor infertility. During the procedure the embryos that are produced in vitro after IVF are biopsied and checked for aneuploidies (structural or numerical chromosome abnormalities). The embryotransfer is programmed after 2 days, day 5 of the embryo if euploid embryos are available after testing.

  • PGD (Preimplantation Genetic Diagnosis)

Preimplantation Genetic Diagnosis is recommended to couples that are ailing or are carriers of a genetic disease or they already have a child that suffers from a genetic disease such as Thalassaimia, Cystic Fibrosis, Spinal Muscular Atrophy or Duchenne Muscular Dystrophy. In some cases, the child to be born may be genetically compatible with an already-heavy-suffering brother and serve by donating some stem cells to save his life.

  • Polar Body Biopsy

During the first meiotic division of the primary oocytes, 2 cells with 23 chromosomes are obtained. The 1st cell retains almost the whole cytoplasm and becomes the final oocyte while the second is the polar body which is very small, non-functional and as a satellite isolated on the periphery of the oocyte. Removing the first polar body does not affect fertilisation or fetal development. Knowing the genome of the polar body we know the oocyte genome. The removal of the 1st and 2nd polar bodies (the second polar body is discharged after fertilisation with the sperm) is done in a short time, the genetic analysis is completed shortly, and the probability of misdiagnosis of fetal mosaicism is diminished. The polar body biopsy is more acceptable ethically since material from the embryo itself is not used. However, it is a very new technique, technically difficult, costly and still in progress, so it requires patience and thorough research until it is effective.

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