GENETIC DIAGNOSTICS IN ARTIFICIAL INSEMINATION IN UKRAINE. PREIMPLANTATION GENETIC DIAGNOSIS (PGD) USING THE NGS METHOD

A new era in reproductive medicine has come, where the ability to determine the sex and features of the embryo have made him a full-fledged patient in a reproductive clinic. It used to be a fiction, today it avoids the process of transmission of hereditary diseases from mother to child with the use of innovative technologies. Using the latest NGS method in Ukraine preimplantation genetic diagnosis (PGD) has already made happy more than one hundred married couples, diagnosis is performed not only for patients with diagnosed infertility, but also when infertility is not present.

What is PGD preimplantation diagnostics for and in which case is it used?

Need for PGD Diagnostics

        Preimplantation genetic diagnosis (PGD) is a diagnosis that allows for the detection of genetic abnormalities of an embryo prior to its transfer to the uterine cavity. The diagnosis procedure increases the chances of a woman becoming pregnant and reduces the likelihood of abortion, reduces the risk of failure of an IVF program, and increases a woman's ability to have a healthy baby without chromosomal diseases. Genetics specialists carry out testing on the embryo to determine if it also carries a genetic anomaly to select only healthy embryos. The procedure for genetic diagnosis is usually performed in the program of IVF (extracorporeal fertilization) or IVF / ICSI (intracytoplasmic sperm injection).

        Importantly! PGD diagnosis is recommended when one or two genetic parents have known genetic abnormalities, that is the absence or excess number of chromosomes in the genetic material, or in the case of a woman's predisposition to miscarriage. Genetic abnormalities in the embryo can lead to the birth of a sick baby - for example, with Down, Patau or Klinefelter syndromes - however, most pregnancies end in such cases with miscarriage.

Preimplantation genetic diagnosis is carried out in some cases not related to possible genetic pathology of the fetus; the purpose of such diagnosis is the birth of a child with certain genetic characteristics. Such cases include, for example, genetic diagnostics, which are performed to prevent rhesus conflict. 

There are the following methods of genetic preimplantation diagnosis:

  • diagnosis of aCGH method;
  • FISH diagnostic;
  • diagnosis by PCR;
  • NGS diagnosis (next generation sequencing);

It's important to remember! Only a professional geneticist will advise and select the best method of preimplantation diagnosis in each case.

Attention! Ask experts to find a specialist. 

Who needs preimplantation PGD diagnosis?

PGD Diagnostics

The changes that are taking place in women's present day lives are driving the rise in infertility diagnoses and raising the age of first pregnancy, which in turn drives demand for extracorporeal in vitro fertilization (IVF) and help with pregnancy. Unfortunately, the success rate of artificial insemination remains low, with only 30-35% of cycles leading to the birth of a baby alive. Therefore, preimplantation PGD diagnosis is intended to help couples increase the success of artificial insemination.

Warning! The procedure for genetic diagnosis of PGD is for:

  • older women;
  • women at risk of miscarriage;
  • couples with previous unsuccessful IVF attempts;
  • couples with genetic disorders.

The need for preimplantation diagnosis occurs in women aged 35-40 +, in whom the risk of developing genetic complications in a child is significantly increased with age. This procedure is also important for couples where man is over 40 years old. Genetics doctors also recommend preimplantation diagnostics in the detection of known genetic diseases in a man or a woman, or in case of an increased risk of miscarriage, or with more than two unsuccessful attempts at IVF.

Usage of the innovative NGS method in the genetic diagnosis of PGD.

NGS Diagnostics

Interesting! In FISH genetic diagnostics, the number of chromosome studies in the embryo is limited, in the case of the aCGH-diagnostic method, it is possible to check the karyotype of the embryo completely, but without the possibility of diagnosing small abnormalities, and only the NGS method allows for a complete and detailed research of preimplantation gene diagnosis.

The Next Generation Sequencing (NGS) method in the IVF program is the latest generation of scientific development that has given a major impetus to genomic research, and has been able to determine the gender of the unborn child. In addition, the more faster, simpler, and broader NGS diagnostic method has a more higher performance and higher ability to obtain DNA data than research based on embryo morphology.

Importantly! The NGS diagnostic method is also recommended by experts to recommend when a woman has a pregnancy fade. This will allow the doctor to review the treatment tactics and increase the chances of a woman to have a happy pregnancy. The physician can only analyze the fetal germ if this happens before the ninth week, so the doctor has the biomaterial to investigate and prevent the case again.

What are the benefits of NGS preimplantation diagnosis?

The mechanism of PGD diagnosis

  • high informativeness and completeness of diagnostics;
  • high sensitivity and accuracy of data (about 99.9%);
  • increase in the success of IVF (about 70%);
  • does not increase the risk of embryonic tissue deficiency after biopsy;
  • full automation of diagnostics;

 

Opportunities for genetic PGD diagnostics in Ukraine.

Warning! Ukraine holds the top position in the world for the innovation and efficiency of reproductive technologies using modern methods of artificial insemination and infertility treatment. Ukrainian clinics use modern technological equipment, attract specialist geneticists and reproductive specialists, which gives their patients a better chance of fertilizing, carrying and birth of healthy baby. The technological capabilities and use of our own laboratory allow high-precision molecular genetic analysis and cytogenetic studies of high quality in the process of preimplantation genetic PGD diagnostics using the next-generation NGS sequencing method.

Cost of preimplantation PGD diagnostics by NGS method.

 The cost depends on the method chosen and the number of chromosomes being analyzed. Mostly, for foreign pairs who plan to visit Ukraine for additional reproductive technologies, the preimplantation genetic diagnostics are included in total price. Total price typically is lower than the similar package in other countries. You can describe your needs by filling out an application on the site.