Initially an IVF cycle using PGT-A begins in the same way as any other, with the stimulation of the ovaries to produce eggs, followed by their collection and fertilisation. The embryos will then remain in culture in the laboratory for 5-6 days. On day 3 of embryo development the embryos will be assisted hatched in preparation for biopsy at the blastocyst stage.

When the developing embryos are five or six days old and have reached the blastocyst stage a few cells are micro-surgically removed from each embryo by our highly trained biopsy practitioners and taken for testing

The cells are placed in special test-tubes and sent by courier to the surrey based Igenomix laboratory. The tested embryos are then immediately cryopreserved (frozen) at the Lister fertility clinic until the test results are available.

The cells are each analysed independently by NGS and the test results indicate how many copies there are of each chromosome, revealing any abnormal embryos. Results are available to us within 2 weeks. Once we have the results they will be shared with the patient and if any of them embryos are suitable they can be returned to the patient during a frozen embryo replacement cycle (FET).

No test is 100% accurate, so following any genetic screening we recommend that patients who become pregnant undergo prenatal screening if deemed appropriate by the obstetric team.

If you have a specific chromosome rearrangement that needs testing (translocation or inversion) please see the PGT-SR information

If you have a specific single gene mutation that needs testing for please see the PGT-M information.

The HFEA “traffic light rating” for PGT-A on Day 5 is “amber”, suggesting that there is a growing body of evidence which is showing promising results but where further research is still required.

Read more about the HFEA traffic light system on fertility “add ons”.

A fertility “add-on” is an “optional extras that you may be offered on top of your normal fertility treatment, often at an additional cost. They’re typically emerging techniques that may have shown some promising results in initial studies but haven’t necessarily been proven to improve pregnancy or birth rates.”