In vitro fertilisation with PGT (formerly known as PGD) isn’t just an opportunity for people with a family history of genetic conditions to become parents. It’s a modern technology that allows you to ensure you’ll have a healthy baby. Find out more!
Are you struggling to conceive, or have you suffered miscarriages in the past?
Are you putting off plans for another pregnancy because you’re worried about whether the baby will be born healthy?
Or perhaps you are a carrier of a disease or genetic mutation and are worried about passing it on to your child?
Such concerns are understandable, but they do not necessarily mean the end of your dreams of motherhood. The solution for you is IVF with PGT.
In vitro fertilisation with PGT (Pre-implantation Genetic Testing) is a technique that combines the in vitro procedure (in vitro fertilisation) with genetic testing of embryos. The method involves retrieving a few cells from the embryo and testing them for the presence of genetic disorders, mutations or other abnormalities in the DNA before they are transferred to the patient.
PGT helps to minimise the risk of miscarriage by selecting embryos with a normal chromosome set for transfer. This method enables the detection of abnormalities in the number or structure of the embryo’s chromosomes, which may hinder or prevent its implantation and normal development, leading to a failed pregnancy or miscarriage.
For couples at risk or with a family history of genetic conditions, IVF with PGT offers the chance of having a healthy child. It is the only clinically validated diagnostic method that enables the genome of embryos to be analysed and those that have not inherited a mutation to be identified.
The material collected for analysis is small in quantity and extremely valuable; it is therefore crucial that genetic diagnosis of embryos is carried out using the most sensitive methods. For this reason, INVICTA utilises NGS (Next Generation Sequencing) technology.
Depending on the patients’ medical condition, we can carry out several diagnostic options:
Thanks to the expert knowledge of our embryologists, geneticists, gynaecologists and laboratory diagnosticians, as well as our in-house Medical Diagnostic Laboratory, we support patients even in the most challenging cases of infertility, which are often caused by genetic issues.
We are well aware that infertility treatment requires an interdisciplinary approach, and that is why we pride ourselves on being able to provide you with comprehensive care from a range of experts, all under one roof.
It increases the chances of becoming pregnant
According to the International Society for Pre-implantation Genetic Diagnosis (PGDIS) and the European Society of Human Reproduction and Embryology (ESHRE), pre-implantation genetic testing (PGT) is believed to increase the chances of pregnancy. Some reports even suggest a twofold increase in the rate of embryo implantation following the selection of embryos for transfer based on the results of pre-implantation genetic testing. This is particularly important for couples who have previously experienced failed attempts to conceive or miscarriages.
PGT enables the analysis of DNA information prior to embryo transfer
Thanks to our understanding of genetic material, we are able to select embryos with a normal chromosome set for transfer, which increases the success rate of in vitro fertilisation by 28 per cent and reduces the risk of miscarriage by up to three times.
It shortens the infertility diagnosis process
Without knowing the genetic status of the embryo in the event of a failed pregnancy, we do not know whether the cause was errors in the embryo’s genome or whether there is another reason. Therefore, knowing the embryo’s genetic status allows us to identify the actual cause of fertility problems more quickly and address it.
It increases the chances of having genetically healthy offspring
Only PGT offers the possibility of analysing the embryo’s DNA before it is transferred during in vitro fertilisation. Thanks to this method, fertility specialists and geneticists gain significant diagnostic capabilities to examine the embryo’s genetic status prior to transfer and determine whether it is healthy.
This makes it possible to analyse the embryo’s genetic material for single-gene disorders or carrier status, structural chromosome rearrangements or aneuploidy. This enables doctors and prospective parents to make an informed choice of a single embryo from the pool of available embryos and to transfer those embryos that have balanced genetic material or are healthy.
Provides peace of mind regarding the baby’s health
PGT testing determines whether the transferred embryo is free from the genetic mutations being screened for, which gives the expectant mother peace of mind regarding the baby’s health throughout her pregnancy.
In vitro fertilisation (IVF) with pre-implantation genetic testing (PGT) is used for patients who:
are over 35 years of age,
have suffered miscarriages,
have undergone an unsuccessful in vitro fertilisation procedure,
have been diagnosed with a genetic disorder, are confirmed carriers of a chromosomal translocation or inversion, or have other pathogenic mutations and abnormalities that may be passed on to their child.
INVICTA clinics are pioneers in Poland in the field of genetic diagnosis of embryos. In 2005, we carried out the country’s first pre-implantation genetic diagnosis, and in 2013 we were the first in the world to perform PGT using the NGS method. Pre-implantation genetic testing can, with a high degree of accuracy, rule out the occurrence of genetic disorders in your child and improve the success rate of in vitro fertilisation.
Today, we can carry out PGT screening for any known monogenic disorder and common mutations. In this way, we reduce the risk of your child developing these conditions.
Pre-implantation genetic testing (PGT) significantly increases the chances of selecting an embryo free from genetic defects.
However, it is important to remember that PGT does not provide a 100 per cent guarantee of a healthy baby. This is because the risk of new mutations occurring after embryo transfer to the uterus cannot be ruled out, nor can the influence of non-genetic factors on the course of the pregnancy and the child’s development.
Nevertheless, this does not alter the fact that the use of PGT significantly reduces the risk of a genetically compromised pregnancy compared with natural conception in couples at risk of passing on genetic defects. As a result, the chances of giving birth to a healthy child are considerably higher.
The main difference between the tests lies in the timing of when they are carried out:
PGT offers the chance to avoid genetic risks whilst trying to conceive. As the NIPT test is carried out during pregnancy, it does not offer this possibility.
In any work involving human intervention, there is a risk of error; that is why, at INVICTA Clinics, we have implemented rigorous safety procedures that enable us to monitor every stage of an embryologist’s work.
These include, amongst other things:
As a result, the risk of laboratory error is reduced to an absolute minimum.
When performing an embryo biopsy, we collect material from the area furthest from the embryonic pole – these are the cells that will form the placenta. The foetus will develop from a different area, from a structure known as the embryonic pole. This means that the risk of damage to the embryo is minimal. This procedure is carried out exclusively by highly qualified embryologists with many years’ experience. The decision to perform a biopsy is made on a case-by-case basis by the doctor and depends on the stage of the embryo’s development. The process is subject to constant monitoring, which further ensures the highest possible level of safety.
Very often. Chromosomal abnormalities in embryos are one of the main causes of implantation failure and unsuccessful IVF cycles. Their occurrence depends not only on the genetic factors of the prospective parents, but also on the woman’s age. Statistics show that in women:
For this reason, PGT-A plays a key role in improving the success rate of infertility treatment and enables the selection of embryos with normal genetic material.
The effectiveness of PGT depends on the individual circumstances of each couple; however, the available data show that this procedure significantly increases the chances of a successful IVF treatment.
Interestingly, in the United States, the number of cycles using PGT-A already exceeds the number of cycles in which this method is not used – which confirms its effectiveness and growing popularity in the treatment of infertility.
A very important aspect of ensuring that PGT diagnostics run smoothly is collaboration between specialists from four medical fields – infertility treatment, genetics, embryology and laboratory diagnostics. Co-operation between these disciplines ensures that we select the appropriate tools to address the issues our patients present with.
The diagnostic process comprises:
Transfer of a healthy embryo into the uterine cavity – this is carried out in the next cycle, once the genetic analysis has been completed.
This situation is very rare. However, if it does occur, it is possible to repeat the in vitro procedure. Embryos that have been deemed genetically abnormal are stored but are not transferred to the uterus.
In the future, they may be used for scientific purposes – for example, as part of research programmes – or, after 20 years, donated. Advances in medicine may, over time, enable the use of new diagnostic and therapeutic technologies that will allow for a reassessment of their developmental potential and possible eligibility for transfer.
Yes, pre-implantation genetic testing (PGT) is only possible as part of an in vitro fertilisation (IVF) procedure. It cannot be carried out during a natural cycle, as the test requires access to embryos at an early stage of development – before they are transferred to the uterus.
To make this possible, the woman undergoes hormonal stimulation, which enables mature eggs to be retrieved. Fertilisation then takes place in a laboratory setting, followed by embryo culture, from which material is collected for genetic analysis.
PGT is currently the only method of pre-pregnancy genetic testing of embryos recommended by international scientific societies. It is an effective way of reducing the risk of miscarriages caused by aneuploidy and the only method enabling people with a family history of genetic conditions to become biological parents.
We are the only centre in Poland that carries out such tests on-site, offering comprehensive care – from consultations with a gynaecologist, geneticist and embryologist, right through to the diagnostic procedure. This means that patients can count on full support at every stage of preparation for the diagnostic procedure.
