PGT-M and PGT-SR Pre-implantation Genetic Testing for Monogenic disease (PGT-M) and structural arrangements (PGT-SR)

• The PGT timeline

  Preimplantation genetic diagnosis (PGT) is performed as part of the in vitro fertilization (IVF) procedure. This treatment has been revolutionary in preventing genetically inherited disorders. The genetic testing is designed for each patient and the process of genetic test personalisation can take two months and occurs before we can start stimulating ovaries.

• Stimulation of the ovaries

  In the stimulation phase of an ICSI cycle, injectable medications are used for approximately 8 to 14 days to stimulate the ovaries to produce eggs. During this phase, a patient will come into the clinic up to 8 times for monitoring and medication adjustment if needed.

• Egg retrieval

  On the morning of egg retrieval, a patient will meet a doctor and an anaesthetist to review their medical history including sperm samples being used. Intravenous fluid will be administered to induce sleep. The egg retrieval itself takes about 20 to 30 minutes via ultrasound and removal of egg via a needle.

  The andrology laboratory will wash and prepare the sperm so the healthiest sperm are brought together with the eggs for fertilization (after the doctor performs the egg retrieval).

• Fertilisation

  After the egg retrieval, the embryologist will prepare the eggs and sperm. For Pre-implantation genetic testing (PGD) the embryologist will inject one single sperm into each mature egg under a microscope. PGD is therefore possible with very few sperm.

• Genetic testing

  Once fertilisation occurs and embryos develop over the next 5 to 6 days to the blastocyst stage, an embryologist will biopsy a group of cells from each embryo. The biopsied cells are analysed in a genetic testing laboratory to determine if they are affected with the genetic disorder that you are known to carry. The blastocysts undergo cryopreservation until the results of the analysis are available.

• Transfer of unaffected embryos

  Once we have the results and we know which embryos are affected, an embryologist can then thaw the embryos that are normal and not affected by the genetic disorder they were screened for. The doctor will transfer one or more embryos to the uterus in a frozen embryo transfer (FET) cycle.

• Embryo transfer

  The embryo transfer is a simple procedure that only takes about 5 minutes to complete. There is no anaesthesia or recovery time needed. A patient will review their cycle with the doctor and the number of embryos recommended for transfer. The nurse will give the patient instructions for the following 2 weeks until it's time for the pregnancy test.

• The pregnancy test

  Two weeks after the embryo transfer, in the privacy of their own home, a patient will perform a pregnancy test and advises the outcome so Glasgow Royal Fertility Clinic can plan the next steps

1. What conditions can I test for?

   Before PGT clinics are permitted to test for a condition or combination of conditions, the Human Fertilisation Embryology Authority (HFEA) must first agree that the condition they want to test for is sufficiently serious. This list of conditions listed on the HFEA website are those that the HFEA has so far agreed that it is acceptable for clinics to use PGT to test for.

2. My condition is not on the HFEA list is it still possible to test for it?

   If the condition you are looking for does not appear on this list, it may be because the condition is not yet approved. PGT is an area of medicine that is rapidly developing, and new tests often become available. If a condition does not appear on this list, we recommend getting in touch with us and we can see if it is possible to add.

3. Who does the genetic testing?

   We have partnered with Genesis Genetics the largest genetics laboratory in the world who specialises in preimplantation genetic diagnosis (PGT) and preimplantation genetic tsting for aneuploidy (PGT-A). Genesis Genetics offers the latest technology to ensure they can perform PGT for any genetic disease with an identified mutation.

Fees

Our full price list can be found here for download. Should you have any questions about the fees, please contact us on 0141 956 0509 and speak to a member of staff.