Preimplantation Genetic Testing (PGT)

At Almond Blossoms Fertility Clinic, we offer Preimplantation Genetic Testing (PGT) as part of IVF treatment to help identify genetic or chromosomal abnormalities in embryos before they are transferred into the uterus. This advanced testing aims to improve pregnancy success rates and reduce the risk of passing on inherited conditions. The three main types are PGT-A for chromosomal abnormalities or gender selection, PGT-SR for structural rearrangements, and PGT-M for single gene disorders.

PGT-A: Testing for Aneuploidies

PGT-A checks whether embryos have the correct number of chromosomes. Humans typically have 46 chromosomes, 23 from each parent. An extra or missing chromosome may cause failed implantation, miscarriage, or conditions such as Down syndrome. PGT-A can help identify embryos with the highest potential for implantation, lower miscarriage risk, and improve the likelihood of a healthy pregnancy. It is often recommended for women over 35, couples with recurrent pregnancy loss, patients with previous failed IVF cycles, or cases of severe male infertility.

Some embryos have both normal and abnormal cells, a condition known as mosaicism. These embryos may still result in healthy births, but success rates and risks vary. Your doctor and a genetic counsellor will guide you if mosaic embryos are present.

Gender Selection for Family Balancing (via PGT-A)

PGT-A can also identify the sex chromosomes of each embryo with more than 99% accuracy, allowing families to choose the gender of their baby for family balancing purposes. This process can only be performed as part of an IVF/ICSI cycle combined with PGT-A. After fertilisation, embryos are grown to the blastocyst stage (Day 5 or 6), a few cells are biopsied and sent to a genetics lab, and only healthy embryos of the desired gender are selected for transfer. Gender selection is permitted only for family balancing purposes under UAE law, must be medically and ethically justified, and only chromosomally normal embryos are considered for transfer. If no embryos of the desired gender are found, our team will discuss possible next steps, such as additional cycles or alternative approaches.

PGT-SR: Testing for Structural Chromosomal Rearrangements

PGT-SR is recommended when one partner carries a balanced chromosomal rearrangement, such as a translocation or inversion. While carriers are usually healthy, their embryos may inherit unbalanced genetic material, leading to miscarriage or birth defects. This testing helps select embryos without unbalanced rearrangements, reducing miscarriage risk and improving the chance of a healthy baby. It is often advised for couples with recurrent miscarriages, a family history of chromosomal disorders, or unexplained infertility.

PGT-M: Testing for Monogenic Diseases

PGT-M is used when a couple is at risk of passing on a known single gene disorder such as cystic fibrosis, thalassemia, or Huntington’s disease. A personalised test is developed using genetic reports and blood samples. Embryos are tested for the specific mutation before transfer, and only unaffected or carrier embryos are selected. This is recommended for known carriers of a genetic condition or those with a family history of a specific disease.

The Process at Almond Blossoms

The IVF cycle begins with egg and sperm collection, with ICSI recommended to reduce contamination risk in PGT-M cases. Embryos are cultured to the blastocyst stage, and a few cells are biopsied from the trophectoderm. Embryos are then frozen while the biopsied cells are sent to a specialist laboratory for genetic testing using next generation sequencing. Once results are available, our embryologists and your doctor will review them with you and advise which embryos are most suitable for transfer.