Guide to PGT
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Genetics Review
Every patient has a consultation with a clinical geneticist. We review your personal and family history, explain the role of PGT, and discuss all reproductive options. This ensures your plan is medically tailored and based on accurate, specialist advice.
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Fertility Assessment
We assess your reproductive health through hormone testing, ultrasound scans, and semen analysis. These results guide your IVF treatment plan, helping us choose the safest and most effective approach for your individual situation.
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Laboratory Review
We design and oversee the genetic testing process in the laboratory. Using advanced DNA fingerprinting, we analyse embryo biopsies to detect single-gene conditions, chromosomal rearrangements, or aneuploidy — providing precise results to guide embryo selection.
Preimplantation genetic testing (PGT) is a specialised form of IVF that allows us to check embryos for certain genetic conditions before pregnancy. A few cells are taken from the embryo, tested in the lab, and suitable embryos are selected for transfer.
Why Consider PGT?
PGT can help if:
PGT-M – You or your partner carry a single-gene condition (e.g. cystic fibrosis).
PGT-SR – You have a chromosome translocation linked to infertility, miscarriage, or chromosomal conditions.
PGT-A – You want to reduce miscarriage risk by selecting embryos with the correct number of chromosomes.
Medical sex selection – When a condition affects one sex more severely.
Other uses include:
Matching a sibling for bone marrow transplant (HLA matching).
Avoiding blood group incompatibility in pregnancy.
Exclusion testing (e.g. Huntington’s disease) without directly testing the parent.
Why is PGT complex?
Unlike a blood test with millions of cells, an embryo biopsy gives us only a handful. DNA must be copied (amplified) before testing, which can introduce errors or missing information.
To improve accuracy, we use DNA fingerprinting—a method similar to forensic or ancestry testing. Instead of looking for just one genetic change, we test multiple markers around it. This reduces the risk of a wrong result and increases confidence in identifying healthy embryos.
Our Process
1. Genetics Review
Every patient’s journey begins with a consultation with a clinical geneticist. We review your personal and family history, explain what PGT can (and can’t) achieve, and discuss other reproductive options such as prenatal diagnosis, donor eggs/sperm, or accepting the natural chance of a genetic condition.
2. PGT Test Design
We collect DNA samples from you, your partner, and sometimes other family members. Using DNA fingerprinting, we design a personalised test that can detect the genetic changes of concern, check for chromosomal issues, and reduce the risk of inconclusive results.
3. Fertility Assessment
Before starting IVF, we run key tests to help your cycle go smoothly:
Hormone testing & ultrasound (to predict ovarian response and choose medication doses).
Semen analysis (to ensure sperm quality for fertilisation).
Carrier screening & karyotype testing (to detect other conditions that may need to be added to the PGT design).
Infection screening (to ensure safe treatment).
4. IVF Cycle & Embryo Biopsy
You’ll take hormone injections for ~2 weeks, with blood tests and ultrasounds to track progress. Eggs are then collected under light anaesthetic. In the lab:
Eggs are fertilised with sperm using ICSI.
Embryos grow for 5–7 days.
A few cells are carefully taken from each embryo (biopsy).
Embryos are frozen while testing takes place.
5. Genetic Testing
Biopsy samples are analysed in our specialised genetics laboratory. Depending on your situation, we check for:
PGT-M (single-gene conditions),
PGT-SR (chromosome rearrangements), and/or
PGT-A (extra or missing chromosomes).
Only embryos that pass these checks are considered for transfer.
6. Embryo Transfer
When results are ready, suitable embryos are thawed and transferred at the right stage of your natural cycle. This is a simple outpatient procedure (like a Pap smear) and usually painless.