PGT Testing

Pre-implantation Genetic Testing (PGT)

Pre-implantation Genetic Testing (PGT) – Evaluates all 23 pairs of chromosomes thereby ensuring that the embryo is chromosomally normal. PGT may be restricted or prohibited in many countries such as Australia, New Zealand, Japan, Korea, China, Malaysia, India, Israel, Canada, the UK, Italy, Austria, Switzerland, Ireland, France, Germany, Belgium, Russia, Spain, Turkey, and others.

Pre-implantation Genetic Testing (PGT) is a special procedure in which embryos are tested for chromosomal or genetic abnormalities prior to being used in an IVF cycle.  This procedure is not available in many countries and is not offered by many fertility clinics because it is technically very difficult requiring highly experienced personnel.

The personnel at the Fertility Institute of Hawaii are some of the best trained in the world for technical IVF procedures such as embryo biopsy for PGT.

PGT is often desired by patients who are undergoing IVF cycles. There are many reasons why patients may desire a PGT IVF cycle including:

• Detecting and preventing of chromosomal anomalies such as Down’s Syndrome
• Lowering miscarriage risk in patients with a history of multiple miscarriages or Recurrent Pregnancy Loss
• Older age of the female or male partner
• Multiple unsuccessful IVF cycle attempts thought to be due to genetically abnormal embryos
• Gender Selection or Family Balancing for couples desiring to know the gender of the embryo prior to embryo transfer.
• A known genetic abnormality that runs in a family places the pregnancy at risk. Some patients will be aware based on their family history that they have a known risk of passing on an inherited disease to a child (e.g. Tay Sachs, Cystic Fibrosis, Sickle Cell Anemia, Alpha and Beta thalassemia and many others). To do this, Pre-implantation Genetic Testing (PGT) is required.