Select your child's gender with advanced genetic screening

PGS is designed to assess whether embryos have the correct amount of genetic material. Genetic material is housed within structures called chromosomes, and when chromosomes are missing or extra, it can lead to improper development and functioning. Embryos with the incorrect amount of genetic material, known as aneuploid embryos, typically fail to implant, which results in a miscarriage or leads to the birth of a child with a genetic disorder. Conversely, embryos with the correct amount of genetic material, known as euploid embryos, have a better chance of resulting in a successful pregnancy. Because PGS looks for aneuploidies, it has been renamed as Preimplantation Genetic Testing for Aneuploidies (PGT-A).

Gender selection can help prevent the transmission of certain genetic diseases, such as cystic fibrosis, Tay Sachs, Huntington’s disease, or sickle cell disease. Some of these genetic diseases are carried on the X or Y chromosome and are termed “sex-linked” genetic diseases. At this time, gender selection is not available using Microsort.

Preimplantation Genetic Diagnosis (PGD) is a wonderful option for people who are at risk of transmitting a genetic disease to their children. PGD allows the physician and embryologist to determine if an embryo carries a specific disease based on its genetic composition.

PGD testing is used to screen for abnormal numbers of chromosomes, broken or damaged chromosomes, and other anomalies, including

• Down Syndrome (Trisomy 21)
• Tay Sachs Disease
• Hemophilia A and B
• Sickle Cell Anemia
• Gaucher’s Disease

PGD performed on a woman’s embryos for the most common chromosomal problems enables the physician and couple to determine which embryos will most likely result in a healthy, ongoing pregnancy. Additionally, for couples that have failed IVF cycles for unexplained reasons, preimplantation genetic diagnosis may provide important information in the determination of the cause(s) of the failures.

PGD can also be used for gender selection.