Embryo biopsy in preimplantation genetic diagnosis

This article is professionally consulted by Master, Doctor Nguyen Thi Cam Van - IVF Lab Doctor - Reproductive Support Center - Vinmec Times City International Hospital.

Preimplantation genetic diagnosis has been carried out since 1990, since then this technique has been widely used and has become one of the most advanced and successful techniques in the field of HTSS. The purpose of this embryo biopsy technique is to screen healthy embryos in couples at high risk of having children with genetic diseases.

Preimplantation genetic diagnosis (PGT-M) is an assisted reproductive technology technology used in conjunction with IVF to increase the chances of a healthy pregnancy and pregnancy. successful birth. PGT-M is a genetic test of cells taken from an embryo, to help doctors choose the best embryo for a pregnancy or to avoid certain genetic diseases that a couple is at risk of passing on. child.
PGT-M is used to identify approximately 2,000 single-gene disorders (or genetic abnormalities) and accurately identifies 98% of healthy or unhealthy embryos.
The whole process of PGT- consists of many different steps and each step is performed by many experts in the field of assisted reproduction:
The first step is in vitro fertilization by direct sperm injection oocyte for embryogenesis (ICSI). The fertilized embryos are cultured for 3 to 5 days.

The next step is an embryo biopsy. Embryo biopsies are performed on day 3 or day 5. If biopsy is on day 3 embryos, 1-2 cells will be removed from the embryo. The number of cells removed will be more (3 - 5 cells) if biopsies are performed on day 5 embryos. Day 5 embryos consist of two distinct cell masses: embryo bud mass (which will later form a fetus) and mass. trophoblast cells (which will later develop into the placenta and placenta to nourish the fetus). Biopsy to remove a few cells of the trophoblast does not affect the embryo's ability to develop and implant later. At the same time, performing an embryo biopsy at day 5 also gives more accurate results.

If antenatal testing such as amniocentesis or spina bifida is done to detect genetic abnormalities in the fetus. In case if the fetus has an abnormality, the couple has to choose (1) whether to give birth to a child with a genetic disease or (2) to terminate the pregnancy. However, since PGD is performed before embryo transfer and selects only healthy embryos, the couple does not have to make this difficult decision and the baby is born healthy.
The PGD technique offers the opportunity of biological pregnancy to couples who were previously unable to become pregnant due to the high risk of transmitting diseases to their children. With this technique, the child born will carry the genetic characteristics of the parents.
In the past, many couples, when they found out they were carrying a genetic disease, often had to choose to adopt a child, use donor embryos or surrogacy, or choose not to have children to avoid the risk of transmitting the disease. But now, PGD technology has allowed these couples to have healthy children without having the same genetic diseases as their parents or family members.

Most of the risks associated with performing PGD are similar to those for conventional IVF:
Reaction to fertility drugs: Mild reactions such as hot flashes, feeling irritable or irritable, headache and restless. Symptoms usually go away after a short time. Multiple pregnancy: This is the main complication of PGD however recent advances in this technique have reduced the rate of multiple pregnancy to 1.2%. For most women who have PGD, doctors usually recommend transferring only one embryo into the uterus, because multiple pregnancies carry a high risk of complications for both mother and baby during pregnancy. Ovarian hyperstimulation syndrome (OHSS): Symptoms include abdominal pain and swelling, shortness of breath, nausea, vomiting, and decreased urine output. Pelvic infection. Miscarriage: The risk of miscarriage after IVF is equal to or lower than that of spontaneous conception.

Currently, at Vinmec International General Hospital, there is a genetic screening service before embryo transfer, in order to identify genetic abnormalities at the chromosomal level, thereby selecting the best embryos before embryo transfer.
Genetic screening service before embryo transfer at Vinmec aims to:
Increase implantation and IVF success rates. Reduce the number of IVF sessions. Increased success rate when transferring an embryo. Increased success rates in older women, especially over 35. Master. Doctor. Nguyen Thi Cam Van has experience and strength in performing specialized techniques on assisted reproduction in the IVF lab. Before being an IVF lab doctor at the Reproductive Support Center, Vinmec Times City International Hospital, he had obtained foreign training certificates such as: Certificate of Advanced Reproductive Technology at IVF GangNam Cha, Korea, Certificate of Quality Management of IVF lab at Origio lab, Denmark