Unfortunately, in vitro fertilization does not always end with the successful onset of pregnancy and the birth of a healthy baby. However, during IVF, it is possible to exclude genetic diseases of the child at the stage of embryo transfer. To this end, in November 2016, ISIDA Clinic was one of the first in Ukraine to introduce into practice an ultra–precise method of embryo diagnosis – NGS. The NGS (Next Generation Sequencing) method allows detecting chromosomal pathologies with 99.9% accuracy and almost completely eliminating the risk of having a child with chromosomal abnormalities. The results that doctors and patients receive as a result of using the NGS method show a number of advantages of this type of genetic diagnosis compared to its predecessors.
This procedure is carried out in an embryological laboratory: specialists take the material for analysis on the fifth day of embryo development. The process is fully automated, which eliminates the impact of the human factor. The material is obtained from the outer layer of the embryo, so that the risks for its further development are minimized.
Since embryos can live up to five days in artificial conditions, and the analysis takes time, a cryo cycle is carried out. The embryos are frozen superfast, and then transferred in the next cycle – in the period most suitable for conception. Thus, doctors get the opportunity to perform the NGS procedure and better prepare a woman for pregnancy: to stabilize the hormonal background, to make sure that the endometrium is ready for implantation.
The main advantages of using the NGS method in IVF programs:
- The NGS method increases the effectiveness of IVF programs by more than 20%. Genetic analysis of the embryo before transferring it into the uterine cavity allows you to find and exclude embryos carrying chromosomal abnormalities from the program. Approximately 70% of success in implantation depends on the quality of the embryo, because in most cases an embryo with a genetic breakdown does not take root – this is the natural defense mechanism of a woman’s body. Fortunately, with a timely medical examination, it is possible to identify possible problems with the embryo and identify the presence of genetic abnormalities before the critical moment.
- Genetic analysis of NGS makes it possible to transfer only one embryo into a woman’s body, unlike other IVF programs in which two or even three embryos are transferred. The question of the number of transferred embryos during in vitro fertilization is extremely important. The fact is that it is the number of transferred embryos that affects the likelihood of a multiple pregnancy, which, in turn, is associated with many health risks for both mother and children. Therefore, the transfer of one genetically tested embryo instead of two or more untreated ones does not reduce, but increases the effectiveness of the IVF program.
NGS is recommended for all patients planning IVF, especially if there have already been failures at the implantation or gestation stage. Couples who have risks of having a child with a genetic anomaly should also think about this procedure. First of all, this applies to those who know or assume the presence of dangerous genes in themselves. Do not discount the age factor, because it is known that over time the probability of developing chromosomal abnormalities increases.
Embryo testing by the NGS method provides a number of very valuable advantages for the expectant mother, allows achieving a higher implantation rate, reducing the threat of miscarriage and maximizing the chances of having a healthy baby.
