Every couple hopes for a healthy baby.
But for some, there can be concerns about genetic disorders.
Sometimes, embryos can have genetic issues that lead to health problems in the baby.
For those worried about genetic conditions in their future child, embryo biopsy offers a glimmer of hope.
This advanced technique allows doctors to examine embryos for chromosomal abnormalities before implantation.
Embryo biopsy is for genetic testing. It helps identify which embryos are healthy genetically and which ones have issues.
Before you choose to undergo an embryo biopsy, it’s important to learn about the process, purpose, types, and benefits of embryo biopsy.
This blog will walk you through everything you need to know about embryo biopsy.
What is Embryo Biopsy?
Embryo biopsy, also known as preimplantation genetic testing (PGT) is a minimally invasive procedure used in assisted reproduction treatments. It involves removing a small number of cells from an embryo for genetic testing.
This process helps identify any chromosomal abnormalities or genetic disorders before the embryo is implanted in the uterus.
Embryos undergo various genetic tests after day five of development. This stage is ideal because the embryo has grown to hundreds of cells. This stage is called blastocyst stage.
During this process, embryologists carefully remove a few cells from each embryo using a laser to create a tiny opening in the embryo’s outer layer.
The cells are taken from the trophectoderm, the first cell type to appear during development.
These cells are then sent to a genetics laboratory for two main types of tests in embryo genetic diagnosis:
- Preimplantation Genetic Testing for Aneuploidy (PGT-A): This test checks if the embryo has the correct or abnormal number of chromosomes.
- Preimplantation Genetic Testing for Monogenic Disorders (PGT-M): This test is used to identify specific genetic diseases within the embryo.
Once the analysis is complete, only healthy embryos are selected for transfer.
Embryo biopsy helps identify embryos without genetic abnormalities before they are implanted in the uterus, increasing the chances of a successful pregnancy and a healthy baby.
Types of Embryo Biopsy
1. Blastocyst Biopsy
- When it’s performed: This type of biopsy is typically performed on embryos that have developed for five days, known as blastocysts.
- How it works: A small number of cells are removed from the outer layer of the blastocyst, called the trophectoderm.
- Purpose: Blastocyst biopsy is primarily used for preimplantation genetic diagnosis (PGD) to detect specific genetic disorders or mutations. It can also be used for preimplantation genetic screening (PGS) to identify embryos with normal chromosome numbers.
2. Non-Invasive Preimplantation Genetic Testing (PGT)
- When It’s Performed: NM invasive PGT is usually done during the early stages of embryo development, typically on day 5 after fertilization when embryos reach the blastocyst stage.
- How It Works: In NM-invasive PGT, the different cells in the media where the embryos are growing are sent for PGT. This means there’s no need to make a hole in the outer layer of the embryo.
- Purpose:The main purpose of NM invasive PGT is to identify genetic disorders in embryos before implantation. This helps parents select embryos that are free from specific genetic conditions, increasing the chances of a healthy pregnancy.
When is Embryo Biopsy Recommended?
Embryo biopsy and genetic screening are often recommended for women at high risk of having babies with chromosomal abnormalities. Here are some key situations when Embryo Biopsy is prescribed:
- Women of advanced maternal age.
- Women with a history of recurrent miscarriages.
- Women who have had a previous chromosomally abnormal pregnancy.
- Women who have undergone multiple failed IVF cycles.
Step By Step of Embryo Biopsy Procedure
- Ovarian Stimulation:
The woman receives hormone treatment. This helps stimulate her ovaries to produce the highest number of mature oocytes.
- Egg Retrieval:
A procedure called ovarian puncture is done to retrieve the oocytes from the ovaries.
- Fertilization in the Laboratory:
The retrieved oocytes are fertilized in the lab using a method called Intracytoplasmic Sperm Injection (ICSI).
- Embryo Culture:
The fertilized embryos are cultured and monitored using Time-Lapse technology until they reach the blastocyst stage, usually by day 5 or 6.
- Embryo Biopsy:
Cells are carefully removed from the trophoectoderm of the blastocyst. These cells are then stored in tubes and frozen for analysis. At the same time, the embryos are vitrified until the results of the analysis are available.
- Genetic Analysis:
The biopsied cells undergo genetic testing to check for any chromosomal or genetic abnormalities.
- Embryo Transfer:
The embryos that show no abnormalities are selected and transferred into the woman’s uterus for potential implantation.
Timeline of the Procedure
From egg retrieval to conception, preimplantation genetic testing can take some weeks, including:
- Egg Aspiration: Day of egg retrieval.
- Artificial Reproductive Techniques (art) : Fertilization process.
- Embryo Development: 5 days for embryo growth.
- Genetic Testing: 1 to 2 weeks for analysis.
- Embryo Transfer: The final step of placing the healthy embryo in the uterus.
Benefits of Embryo Biopsy
- Improved Embryo Selection
With the help of embryo biopsy, fertility specialists can identify chromosomally normal embryos.
This helps them eliminate abnormal embryos that cannot lead to a healthy child, even if those look good on the microscope. A healthy embryo selection means a higher chance of a successful pregnancy.
- Reduced Risk of Genetic Disease
Embryo biopsy can spot genetic diseases before implantation. This allows doctors to avoid transferring embryos with serious genetic disorders.
Screening for these issues through the PGT technique can lower the chances of passing on genetic diseases to your future baby.
- Reduced Risk of Multiple Pregnancies
When couples go through fertility treatments, they often face the risk of multiple pregnancies. This happens because multiple embryos are transferred without testing.
This increases the chance of having twins, triplets, or even more babies, which can create complications for both the mother and the baby.
With embryo biopsy, doctors can find the healthiest ones. Instead of transferring multiple embryos, they pass a single healthy embryo to reduce the chance of having twins, triplets, or more.
This makes the pregnancy safer for both the mother and the babies.
- Avoids The Transfer of Embryos That Will Lead to Pregnancy Loss
Not all embryos will develop into a healthy pregnancy.
Embryo biopsy helps avoid transferring embryos that are less likely to survive.
This way, couples can prevent the emotional pain of pregnancy loss and increase the chances of a successful and healthy pregnancy.
- Reduced Financial Burden
The financial costs of fertility treatments can add up quickly.
Embryo biopsy helps reduce this burden by improving the chances of a successful pregnancy on the first try. Embryo biopsy and genetic screening allow embryologists to identify and eliminate abnormal embryos.
This means couples don’t have to waste money or effort on preserving embryos that are unlikely to result in healthy babies in the future.
- Increased Success Rate
When couples try to conceive through IVF, not all embryos are healthy.
Some may have genetic issues. This can lead to failed implantations or miscarriages.
Embryo biopsy helps identify the healthiest embryos.
Choosing only embryos with normal chromosomes increases your chances of a successful pregnancy.
It can help ensure that the embryo implanted is the best possible choice for a healthy baby.
A survey found that embryo biopsy, also called Preimplantation Genetic Testing for Aneuploidy (PGT-A), has a high accuracy rate of up to 90-95%.
This test helps people with infertility, women over 35, and those with a family history of chromosomal issues to conceive successfully and have a healthy baby.
Take The Next Step with Embryologist
Now you know that embryo biopsy is a valuable tool in assisted reproduction treatments. It helps select the best embryos for transfer, increasing your chances of a successful pregnancy.
If you want to avoid the complications we discussed earlier, consider consulting with the skilled embryologists at Motherhood Hospital for the best embryo biopsy treatment in Ahmedabad.
Our embryologists specialize in assisted reproduction treatments. They guide you through all the necessary tests and provide the best fertility treatment options to increase your chances of pregnancy.
Every journey to parenthood is unique—let Motherhood be your guiding light.
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