Preimplantation genetic testing (PGT) is a way that you can optimize your chances of pregnancy through IVF. There are multiple types of PGT that you can opt for, each testing for different types of genes.
Embryo genetic testing results may be an indicator of which embryos are more likely to result in a pregnancy, but there are multiple factors that play into your embryo transfer success. Learn more about what can affect your chances of success.
Embryo Genetic Testing Results [PGT-A vs. PGT-M]
There are two types of PGT. There’s PGT-A (aneuploidy) that tests for chromosomal abnormalities, and there’s PGT-M (monogenic) that tests for single-gene disorders such as sickle cell anemia, cystic fibrosis and other genetic defects.
If someone in your family has a monogenic disorder, whether that’s Huntington’s disease or muscular dystrophy, then it is highly recommended that you get the PGT-M add-on treatment during embryo testing. PGT-M typically costs more than PGT-A, but it may be worth it if you have a familial history of a monogenetic disorder.
PGT-A
The results for PGT-A are typically categorized as genetically normal embryos (euploids) and genetically abnormal (aneuploidy) or mosaic. Euploids result in a better chance of embryo implantation for a genetically healthy child with no chromosomal disorders. Aneuploids mean that your child could have one of the following:
Down syndrome Trisomy 18 Trisomy 13 Turner syndrome
PGT-M
On the other hand, PGT-M screens for single-gene disorders for a genetic abnormality in an embryo. This includes:
Hemophilia Cystic fibrosis Huntington's disease Sickle cell anemia Muscular dystrophy
It’s also worth noting that PGT-A was once referred to as PGS, and PGT-M used to be called PGD, but those terms are now outdated and have changed into their current names. As you do your research, be mindful of these changes and know that they refer to the same thing if you come across terms such as these.
How Many Embryos Pass Genetic Testing?
Age plays a significant role when it comes to how many embryos “pass” genetic testing. According to Washington University Physicians, the chance for abnormal results based on the age of the person providing the eggs is the following:
- 33% for people under 30
- 38% for people aged 30-34
- 47% for people aged 35-37
- 60% for people aged 38-40
- 76% for people aged 41-42
- 84% for people 43 or older
So, the younger the person providing the eggs is, the higher the likelihood there is for a genetically normal embryo.
Genetically Normal Embryo Success Rate
According to research from Reproductive Medicine Associates (RMA) that was presented at the annual meeting of the American Society for Reproductive Medicine (ASRM), people with chromosomally normal embryos through IVF have a 94.9% chance of pregnancy.
If there is a genetic abnormality in the embryo, then the success rate drops down to 10% according to a study published in 2019. That’s part of why the genetic testing of embryos can be such an important facet of your surrogacy journey.
Embryo genetic testing results can help your embryologist select the embryos for transfer that have the best chances of becoming a pregnancy.
Next Steps
Whether you want to learn about different types of embryos and their success rates or embryo genetic testing results for IVF and surrogacy, we have the information for both.
While you wait for your embryo genetic testing results to come back, you can get started on your surrogacy planning questionnaire, which we can help you complete when you contact us online.
By filling out your questionnaire ahead of time, you’ll be one step ahead and that much closer to becoming parents. We’d love nothing more than to help you turn those dreams into reality.