PGT-A Testing in Dubai: Process & Eligibility

If you’re considering PGT-A testing in Dubai, you may be wondering whether it can improve your chances of selecting a suitable embryo for transfer and whether you are a good candidate for the test.

PGT-A, or preimplantation genetic testing for aneuploidies, is a genetic screening test performed on embryos created through IVF. It looks at whether an embryo has the expected number of chromosomes, which can provide additional information as your fertility specialist decides which embryo may be appropriate for transfer. PGT-A is not necessary for every IVF patient, and it does not guarantee pregnancy or a healthy baby. Its value depends on factors such as age, reproductive history, embryo numbers, and individual circumstances.

At Almond Blossoms Fertility & Wellbeing Center in Dubai Healthcare City, the decision to consider genetic testing is approached as part of an individualized fertility plan, alongside medical and emotional wellbeing support.

What Is PGT-A Testing?

PGT-A stands for Preimplantation Genetic Testing for Aneuploidies.

To understand the term, it helps to break it down:

• Preimplantation means testing takes place before an embryo is transferred to the uterus.
• Genetic testing means laboratory analysis is performed on cells taken from the embryo.
• Aneuploidy means an embryo has an abnormal number of chromosomes.

Most human cells normally contain 46 chromosomes, arranged in 23 pairs. An embryo with an extra or missing chromosome may be described as aneuploid.

During IVF, several embryos may develop, but they can differ genetically even when they look similar under a microscope. PGT-A provides additional chromosome information that cannot be obtained simply by looking at embryo appearance.

Importantly, PGT-A does not test for every genetic condition. It primarily evaluates chromosome number. Tests such as PGT-M are designed for specific inherited single-gene conditions, while PGT-SR is used in certain situations involving structural chromosome rearrangements. 

What does PGT-A actually tell you?

PGT-A may help identify embryos that appear:

• Euploid — with the expected chromosome number
• Aneuploid — with an abnormal chromosome number
• Mosaic — showing a mixture of tested cells with different chromosome findings

Mosaic results can be particularly complex and require specialist interpretation. A PGT-A result should therefore be considered alongside embryo development, your medical history and other clinical information rather than treated as a simple “good” or “bad” label.

PGT-A Testing in Dubai: How Does the Process Work?

PGT-A is not a standalone blood test or fertility test. It forms part of an IVF treatment cycle because embryos must first be created in the laboratory.

The exact protocol can vary between patients, but the process generally follows these stages.

1. Fertility assessment and consultation

Your fertility specialist first evaluates your reproductive history and overall fertility picture.

Depending on your circumstances, this may include:

• Age and reproductive history
• Previous IVF attempts
• Previous miscarriages
• Ovarian reserve assessment, which may include AMH (anti-Müllerian hormone) testing
• Ultrasound assessment
• Semen analysis
• Relevant genetic or chromosomal history
• Previous pregnancy outcomes

This assessment helps determine whether PGT-A is potentially useful for your situation.

2. IVF or IVF with ICSI

Eggs are collected following ovarian stimulation and fertilized in the laboratory.

ICSI, or intracytoplasmic sperm injection, is a laboratory fertilization technique in which a single sperm is injected directly into an egg.

Not every patient undergoing PGT-A necessarily requires ICSI for the same reason, so your fertility specialist will determine the appropriate fertilization approach.

3. Embryo development

After fertilization, embryos are monitored as they develop in the laboratory.

Some embryos may reach the blastocyst stage, usually around day 5 or 6 of development. Only embryos that develop sufficiently for biopsy can proceed to embryo testing.

4. Embryo biopsy

At the appropriate developmental stage, an embryologist removes a small number of cells from the embryo.

The biopsy is performed carefully so that the embryo itself can subsequently be frozen while the cells are sent for genetic analysis.

5. Genetic analysis

The biopsy sample undergoes laboratory testing to assess chromosome numbers.

Advanced genetic technologies, including sequencing-based methods, may be used to analyze the sample. The laboratory then provides a report that helps the fertility team understand the chromosome status identified in the tested cells.

6. Embryo freezing

Because genetic testing takes time, embryos are generally frozen after biopsy rather than transferred immediately.

This allows the fertility team to receive and review the results before planning a suitable embryo transfer.

7. Frozen embryo transfer

If an embryo considered suitable for transfer is available, your fertility specialist can plan a frozen embryo transfer (FET) cycle.

The uterus is prepared for transfer, and the selected embryo is placed into the uterus at the appropriate time.

Who May Be Eligible for PGT-A?

One of the most common questions is:

Who should consider PGT-A?

There is no single age or medical history that automatically means you should have PGT-A.

Your fertility specialist may discuss PGT-A if factors in your history suggest that chromosome screening could provide useful additional information.

Potential situations include:

• Advanced maternal age, particularly as the likelihood of chromosomal abnormalities increases with maternal age.
• Previous miscarriage, particularly when there is concern about chromosomal causes.
• Repeated IVF failure, where embryo chromosome status may be one factor worth considering.
• Previous pregnancy involving a chromosomal abnormality.
• A need for more information about the chromosome status of available embryos.
• Specific reproductive circumstances where your fertility specialist believes PGT-A could contribute to embryo-selection decisions.

For example, some Dubai fertility providers identify age over 35, recurrent IVF failure and unexplained recurrent miscarriage among circumstances in which IVF genetic testing may be considered.

However, PGT-A should not be presented as automatically necessary simply because you are over a particular age. The potential value depends on your individual circumstances and, importantly, whether you are likely to produce enough embryos for testing.

What Are the Benefits of PGT-A?

PGT-A can provide information that may be useful during the embryo-selection process.

1. Additional information about embryo chromosomes

Embryo appearance alone cannot tell you the complete chromosome status of an embryo.

PGT-A adds another layer of information by screening the biopsied cells for chromosome abnormalities.

2. May help with embryo selection

When multiple embryos are available, PGT-A results may help your fertility team determine which embryos have a chromosome profile considered more suitable for transfer.

This can be particularly relevant when several embryos are available, and decisions need to be made about which one to transfer first.

3. May reduce the number of embryo transfers in some patients

If a euploid embryo is available, your specialist may recommend transferring it rather than transferring embryos randomly based only on appearance.

This can potentially reduce the number of transfers needed to achieve a pregnancy for some patients, although results vary significantly between individuals.

4. May provide useful information after previous reproductive difficulties

For someone who has experienced repeated miscarriage or unsuccessful IVF, understanding whether embryo chromosome abnormalities may be contributing can sometimes add valuable information to the treatment discussion.

It is important, however, not to assume that an abnormal PGT-A result explains every miscarriage or failed IVF cycle.

5. May help avoid transferring some embryos with significant chromosome abnormalities

PGT-A can identify embryos with chromosome findings that may make them unsuitable for transfer.

This can help the fertility team make more informed decisions, although the interpretation of some results, particularly mosaic findings, can be complex.

Does PGT-A Increase IVF Success Rates?

This is where expectations need to be realistic.

PGT-A is not a guarantee of IVF success.

The potential benefit depends on factors such as your age, ovarian reserve, number and quality of embryos, sperm factors, uterine health and overall reproductive history.

PGT-A may help identify embryos with a chromosome profile associated with better implantation potential, but the test itself does not make an embryo genetically normal, improve egg quality or create additional embryos.

This distinction is important.

If you have only one embryo available for testing, PGT-A may provide information about that embryo, but there may be no additional embryo from which to choose if the result is not suitable for transfer.

Similarly, if ovarian reserve is low and only a small number of eggs are obtained, your specialist will need to consider whether the potential information gained from PGT-A outweighs the additional cost, laboratory procedures, and possibility of having no embryo available for transfer.

This is why PGT-A should be discussed as part of a complete fertility strategy rather than marketed as a universal way to “increase IVF success.”

Are There Any Limitations or Risks of PGT-A?

Like any medical test, PGT-A has limitations.

PGT-A does not test for every genetic condition

PGT-A focuses primarily on chromosome number. It is different from testing for a specific inherited condition.

For example, if one or both parents carry a known single-gene disorder, a specialist may discuss PGT-M rather than or in addition to PGT-A.

A biopsy is required

Embryo biopsy is a specialized laboratory procedure. The embryo must be suitable for biopsy, and the procedure requires experienced embryology expertise.

Not every IVF cycle produces embryos suitable for testing

You need to have embryos that develop appropriately to the blastocyst stage and are suitable for biopsy.

This means that PGT-A cannot compensate for a low number of eggs or poor embryo development.

Results can sometimes be complex

Mosaic embryo results can require careful interpretation because the cells removed for testing may not perfectly represent every cell within the embryo.

Your fertility specialist and genetic laboratory team should explain what your specific result means before any decision is made.

It adds cost and time to IVF

PGT-A involves additional laboratory work, biopsy, genetic analysis, and usually embryo freezing followed by a later frozen transfer.

When considering PGT-A testing in Dubai, it is sensible to ask your clinic exactly what is included in the quoted treatment cost.

Is PGT-A Worth It for You?

The answer is individual.

Rather than asking only, “Is PGT-A good?”, a more useful question is:

“Would PGT-A provide meaningful information for my particular IVF cycle?”

Your specialist may consider:

Factor	Why it matters
Age	Chromosomal abnormalities become more common with increasing maternal age
Number of eggs expected	More eggs may provide a greater chance of developing multiple embryos
Embryo development	PGT-A requires embryos suitable for biopsy
Previous IVF outcomes	Previous unsuccessful cycles may influence the discussion
Miscarriage history	Chromosomal abnormalities can be one possible cause of miscarriage
Genetic history	Other PGT approaches may be more appropriate in some cases
Treatment goals	Your reproductive goals influence the overall strategy
Emotional wellbeing	Genetic testing can add uncertainty and emotional pressure during IVF

At Almond Blossoms, this discussion can take place alongside wellbeing support. Fertility treatment can involve difficult decisions, especially when test results affect which embryos can potentially be transferred. Having access to psychological support can be useful if you find the process emotionally overwhelming.