What is Preimplantation Genetic Screening or PGS and Do I need PGS?
Preimplantation Genetic Screening (PGS) or now better known as Preimplantation Genetic Testing for Aneuploidy (PGT-A) is a genetic study technique to identify abnormalities in embryos created through IVF before transferring them to the womb. The goal of doing PGS is to help you have a successful pregnancy, reduce pregnancy miscarriages and births with genetic defects due to abnormal chromosomes.
There are few types of Preimplantation Genetic Testing that can be performed alongside with IVF treatment, however, PGS is the most commonly used forms of preimplantation genetic testing.
How is PGS done?
If you are doing an IVF treatment, you may be offered PGS as important adjunct to your IVF treatment plan.
In the laboratory, embryos formed as the result of normal fertilisation from eggs and sperm are further cultured into blastocyst (day 5 embryo). A simple biopsy to remove some cells from the blastocyst will then be performed by our trained embryologist.
These cells are then screened using our technology called Next Generation Sequencing with Ion Torrent.
PGS thus screens all 23 pairs of chromosomes including X and Y in each embryo and only normal embryos are selected for transfer into the womb, where they are more likely to attach and produce a pregnancy.
Do I Need PGS?
The benefits of PGS are significant as it dramatically increases rates of implantation and live births. Clinical data have demonstrated shorter time to pregnancy, lower miscarriage rate, and a decrease in multiple pregnancy.
You may consider PGS if :
- You want to improve your IVF pregnancy rate
- If you are a woman over 35 as the incidence of aneuploidy (abnormal number of chromosomes) increases significantly with advancing maternal age. You have experienced several spontaneous miscarriages.
- You have experienced several failed IVF cycles.
- Your partner has severe male factor infertility.
- You have had a prior pregnancy with a chromosomal abnormality such as down syndrome
- Couples also can choose to do PGT-A for personal reasons.
How much does PGT cost
There is a lot of variables from patient to patient. All patients who undergo PGS need IVF cycle. Some of the factors that can impact the cost are the number of IVF cycles needed and the number of embryos to biopsy and test. Here is the rough breakdown:
Basic IVF cycle: RM 15-20k
PGT-related fees: RM 5 -15k
If you are considering IVF or are doing IVF, you may schedule a consultation with our doctor if PGS fits into your plan.
This article is written by Dr Tan Chong Seong
(Consultant O&G & Fertility Specialist – Alpha IVF)
