GenetHaving Fertility Treatment
Preimplantation Genetic Testing
Preimplantation genetic testing, known as PGT is a specialised technique that can reduce the risk of having a child with a known genetic condition or chromosomal disorder. PGT is used to detect genetic changes in embryos created using IVF. To perform PGT a small number of cells are taken from IVF embryos and tested for the specific genetic changes. Embryos without the genetic change(s) are implanted in the womb to initiate a pregnancy. Genetic testing of embryos as part of IVF treatment can mean that fewer embryos are available for your transfer and occasionally testing can give results which are difficult to interpret.
Find out more about our consultations for embryo testing.
Genetic screening for egg and sperm donors
If you are using donor eggs or sperm in your treatment pathway, most donor banks will complete a full family history of the donor to assess for genetic disease and carry out some level of genetic testing.More recently donor banks are now including extended genetic screening. This testing can show if a donor is a carrier of one or more recessive disease. If you were also found to be a carrier for the same recessive disease there would be a 1 in 4 or 25% chance of having a child affected by condition.
Find our more about our consultations for donor matching
Please see the list of our comprehensive support packages