When you’re on a journey to parenthood, every decision matters. This is especially true when selecting the healthiest embryo for transfer during IVF. PGT-A, or Preimplantation Genetic Testing for Aneuploidy, is one option that may be recommended as part of your fertility treatment plan. But what exactly is PGT-A, and how can it support your fertility journey?
In this article, we explore the benefits, costs, and considerations of PGT-A testing. We’ll also share expert insights from Dr. Picton at Vitalab.
What is PGT-A?
PGT-A (Preimplantation Genetic Testing for Aneuploidy) is a laboratory technique used during IVF. It analyzes embryos for chromosomal abnormalities before they are transferred to the uterus. Specifically, a small sample of cells is taken from a blastocyst-stage embryo. The embryo is then frozen, and the DNA sample is sent to a genetics laboratory for analysis.
Within about 10 days, results indicate which embryos have a normal number of chromosomes (euploid). They also show which have too few or too many (aneuploid). This also gives you an indication of which embryos are female (XX) and which embryos are male (XY) . This is often the underlying cause of implantation failure or miscarriage.
What Are the Advantages of PGT-A?
Dr. Picton highlights several potential advantages of choosing PGT-A:
1. Increased chance of successful pregnancy
By identifying embryos with the correct number of chromosomes, PGT-A helps increase the likelihood of transferring an embryo capable of leading to a healthy pregnancy.
2. Reduced risk of miscarriage
Many miscarriages are due to chromosomal abnormalities. PGT-A helps reduce this risk by identifying and avoiding the transfer of aneuploid embryos.
3. More informed decisions
If you have multiple embryos, PGT-A helps select the embryo with the highest genetic potential first, reducing the time, emotional stress, and financial cost of multiple failed transfers.
4. Useful in certain cases
PGT-A is particularly useful in cases of recurrent pregnancy loss, repeated IVF failure, advanced maternal age, or severe male factor infertility.
What Does PGT-A Cost?
Cost is a key factor in deciding whether to proceed with PGT-A. As Dr. Picton explains, the process costs approximately R7000 per embryo tested. Because each embryo is tested individually, couples often ask: How many embryos should we biopsy?
Here’s what you need to know:
- You don’t need to test all your embryos. You can choose to test one, two, or however many your budget allows.
- Embryologists will prioritize embryos with the best quality first, based on grading.
- You also have the option to biopsy embryos now and test them later. In this case, DNA is extracted and stored. The actual genetic testing is done only when (and if) you choose to use those embryos. This helps you manage costs over time.
Should You Test All Embryos?
Not necessarily. You can tailor the number of embryos you choose to test based on:
- Your age and medical history
- The number and quality of available embryos
- Your personal budget and treatment goals
This is a highly individualized decision. Therefore, Dr. Picton recommends discussing your options with your treating doctor or fertility coordinator beforehand. Setting a clear plan can help reduce decision fatigue once embryo results are in.
Final Thoughts
PGT-A is not a one-size-fits-all solution, but it can offer valuable insights and peace of mind for many couples navigating IVF. Whether you’re hoping to reduce the risk of miscarriage, improve your chances of success on the first embryo transfer, or make the most informed decision possible, PGT-A may be a helpful part of your fertility strategy.
At Vitalab, we’re here to guide you through every step of this journey. We help you balance scientific insight with personalized care. If you’d like to learn more about PGT-A or discuss whether it’s right for you, we encourage you to speak to your treating doctor or book a consultation with our team.
For more on genetic testing, we work with two recognised labs: www.futuregenlabs.co.za and www.nextbio.co.za