Monthly Archives: May 2019

IVF PRE-EMBRYO GENETIC TESTING/MOSAICISM

Pre-embryo genetic testing (PGT) is an exceptionally powerful tool increasing in vitro fertilization pregnancy rates, decreasing the risk of a multiple pregnancy, miscarriage and minimizing the number of babies born with genetic anomalies. To understand this technology it is important to understand how the process is performed. Blastocyst (day 5, 6 and 7) embryos derived from IVF typically contain anywhere from 200-400 cells. The embryo consists of an outer trophoblastic layer destined to develop into the placenta as well as an inner cell mass destined to develop into the fetus. Biopsying the inner cell mass would give us the most direct information about the fetus, but poses a risk of injury. For that reason the outer cell mass is sampled. Biopsy of the outer cell mass is limited to 4-10 cells to minimize the chance of embryo damage – herein lies one of the sources of potential sampling error, i.e., only a small percentage of the total cells are tested. The cells of the outer cell mass have a high degree of concordance with the inner cell mass, but not 100% – a second potential source of sampling error. It is believed that often subsets of abnormal cells are destroyed by healthier more rapidly replicating normal cells – a third potential source of sampling error.

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friends of F.I.R.M.

The Florida Institute for Reproductive Medicine has infertility specialists in Florida and Georgia who have treated infertility patients like Cassie. At the FIRM, we help ensure the patients who elect surrogacy as their treatment have a wonderful pregnancy journey. To schedule an appointment, call 800-556-5620 or visit www.fertilityjacksonville.com.

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