Center for Reproductive and Fetal Medicine

EMBRYO SELECTION: PRE-IMPLANTATION GENETIC DIAGNOSIS (PGD)

EMBRYO SELECTION: PRE-IMPLANTATION GENETIC DIAGNOSIS (PGD)

Preimplantation Genetic Diagnosis (PGD) is a groundbreaking technique that allows reproductive medicine specialists to examine the genetic material of embryos before they are implanted in the uterus. PGD helps couples rule out serious genetic disorders, thereby improving the chances of a healthy pregnancy and a healthy child.

What is Preimplantation Genetic Diagnosis (PGD)?

PGD is applied to couples undergoing assisted reproduction, specifically the in vitro fertilization (IVF) process. During PGD, specialists remove one or two cells from the embryo before its implantation and analyze the DNA to identify any genetic abnormalities or hereditary diseases, such as cystic fibrosis, Down syndrome, or sickle cell anemia.

Who is PGD suitable for?

PGD is recommended for couples who:

– They have a family history of genetic disorders.

– They have undergone multiple miscarriages without a known cause.

– They have a history of fertility problems.

– They are older, as the risk of birth defects increases with age.

Advantages of Preimplantation Genetic Diagnosis

  1. Minimizing the Risk of Hereditary Diseases: PGD allows couples to rule out serious genetic diseases, reducing the risk to the fetus and its subsequent development.
  2. Increased Chances of IVF Success: Selecting embryos with the right genetic material improves the chances of successful implantation and pregnancy.
  3. Supporting Healthy Fetal Development: With the right embryo selection, couples can increase the chances of giving birth to a healthy child without birth defects.

 

Examples of PGD Usage

PGD is used in cases such as detecting Turner syndrome, muscular dystrophy, and other genetic diseases. By using this technique, couples can ensure that they do not pass on certain conditions to their offspring, giving them the chance for a healthy life.

In conclusion

Preimplantation Genetic Diagnosis offers an important opportunity for couples who wish to have children without genetic disorders. This procedure, although complex, provides a meaningful option for improving the health of the child and increasing the chances of pregnancy success.

Schedule an appointment at our Center to learn more about PGD and ensure proper guidance and care for your reproductive health.

Center for Reproductive and Fetal Medicine

Effective doctor-patient communication is vital to providing high-quality health care. Any communication regarding your medical profile (getting results, instructions, answering questions, concerns) will be done directly with the doctor. This means no midwife or secretary will interrupt your conversations. Instead, if you call with any concerns, they will be there right away to address your needs. Contact us by calling 694 649 8771 or by completing the relevant Contact Form.

Dr. Alexandros Traianos

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REPRODUCTIVE MEDICINE

FREQUENT QUESTIONS

The association of IVF drugs with cancer risk is a major concern for women enrolled in these programs. But the plethora of bibliographic reports collected from credible scientific studies and published in reputable medical journals worldwide are reassuring and do not confirm this concern.

Of course not. In about a third of cases, infertility is due to the woman (female factor), while in a third of cases, it is due to the man (male factor). The remaining one-third is due to both (both men and women) or even to unknown factors.

The quantity and quality of a man's sperm can be affected by his health and lifestyle. Some factors that can reduce the quantity and / or quality of sperm are:

  • the alcohol
  • drugs
  • environmental toxins, including pesticides and lead
  • smoking
  • health problems
  • medicines
  • radiotherapy and chemotherapy
  • the age

Success rates vary at each IVF Center. Very important factors are also the age of the woman, the levels of her hormones and of course the sperm of the husband. Rates generally range from 45% or slightly higher for women up to 35 years old.

Infertility is defined as the failure to conceive after one year (or 6 months, if it is a woman over 35) with normal, regular sexual intercourse. In other words, when a year passes without the woman becoming pregnant, the couple should consult their doctor to determine the cause of the pregnancy and then treat it. We must all, however, be aware and not forget that the age factor is the most critical for female fertility and that the individualized approach of each couple is the "golden key" that solves the problem.

The number of treatment cycles a woman can undergo is not specified. It is certain that in our country there are high level obstetricians-gynecologists and organized infertility treatment centers, which offer impeccable medical services at this level. If there are correct indications (eg ovaries that respond to stimulation therapy, good quality endometrium, etc.) the success rate -especially with the use of newer techniques and biotechnological drugs, which show increased bioactivity compared to conventional drugs from urine- totals approximately 65%-70% after 4 cycles of treatment.

At the Center for Reproductive Medicine of Dr. Traianos we offer egg / sperm cryopreservation services for those who have a personal or medical reason and need this service. We use the most modern vitrification technique in the freezing of sperm and eggs.

The collection of eggs takes 10-15 minutes, it is not painful, it is done under intoxication and after the end of the process you return to your activities.

In general, experts agree that the fact that a couple has already had a child can be considered proof that there is no infertility problem in the first place. It is like a small test that has been done and proves that they "made it" at least once. On the other hand, however, we must be aware that things may have changed in the meantime and a problem may have arisen (e.g. the man may have suffered some inflammation, which affects the quality of his sperm or something has intervened that affects female fertility: an inflammation, a gynecological surgery, an abortion, etc.).

In any case, if a reasonable period of time (one year) passes and a couple is unable to achieve pregnancy, then they should, with the help of their doctor, investigate whether there has been a problem causing infertility.