PGS / PGD

PGS

Pre-implantation genetic screening (PGS) is a procedure in which Day 5 embryos (called blastocysts) are sent for genetic testing. A few cells are extracted from the blastocyst and tested for the normal 46 chromosomes. If not all 46 chromosomes are present, it is “abnormal” and will not result in a live pregnancy.[1]

PGS is available for everyone, but is suggested for those with genetic disorders, recurrent pregnancy loss (RPL), balanced translocation, or of a higher age.

If PGS is done and the results are normal, the embryos will be frozen for a later frozen embryo transfer (FET).

PGD

Preimplantation genetic diagnosis (PGD) is a step-up from PGS. PGD is similar to PGS, but instead of just chromosomes, PGD looks at gene disorders, such as Down’s syndrome or cystic fibrosis, to see if they are present.

PGD is useful to couples with family history of disease that don’t want to pass the disease onto their offspring. However, PGD is not without its controversies. For more information on PGD and its controversies, please visit the “Future of Assisted Reproductive Technology (ART)” page in the menu above.

[1] Adamson, David. 2017. “If IVF, Then PGD Or PGS? What Genetic Testing Can Tell You About Your Embryo.” ARC Fertility. 2017. https://www.arcfertility.com/ivf-pgd-pgs-genetic-testing-can-tell-embryo/.