PGD and PGS

Preimplantation genetic diagnosis (PGD) and preimplantation genetic screening (PGS) are the most advanced and revolutionary methods of treating infertility by using highly specialized molecular genetic techniques in examining the state of the embryo. In certain rare European centers, this procedure is a standard, but in our environment there were no conditions for its implementation, so far. In previous years, our team was working intensively on the establishment of the first PGD laboratory, and we are proud to announce that it started with the work. Cooperation with the Institute for Health Protection of Children and Youth, and their genetic laboratory headed by Dr. Milan Obrenovic, one of our leading experts in the field of clinical biochemistry and medical genetics, a Premium Genetic Laboratory has been established as a precondition of practicing these procedures. What is PGD and when to use it? Preimplantation genetic diagnosis (PGD) is a sophisticated and delicate procedure, where the laser is used to take out an embryonic cell, which is obtained through In vitro fertilization. This procedure does not interfere with the further course of development of the embryo. Obtained cell embryo is then sent to a genetic laboratory, where it is analyzed for the presence of particular genetic diseases by the most advanced molecular techniques. In this way, in certain situations, when there is a risk of transmission of inherited diseases to offspring, it is possible to be diagnosed whether an embryo has the gene for a particular disease. Only healthy embryos are then returned to the uterus, preventing the occurrence of disease in the child. Indications for the above procedure may be various, and relate primarily to rare monogenic diseases that are known to exist in the family, with parents, siblings and other relatives. The most common diseases which are being tested as cystic fibrosis, various forms of muscular dystrophy, hemophilia numerous others. What is PGS and when to use it? Preimplantation genetic screening (PGS) is a procedure that technically does not differ from PGD procedure, except that aims to analyze the total number of chromosomes of embryos that during the procedure of IVF should be returned to the womb. In fact, it was said that the reason for the greatest number of unsuccessful cycles (over 80%) lies in the fact that the embryo, which was returned to the womb, even though it had a great look, it was aneuploid (or did not have a normal number of chromosomes). These conditions are very common, especially with the older age of the mother, and most often are associated with implantation failure or miscarriage. Only in rare cases, these embryos can survive pregnancy (such as embryos with Down syndrome). In certain situations, when the woman is over 37, or when there were previous unsuccessful attempts, or if it is a wish of parents, all embryos could be tested using the above technique, to determine whether they have the normal number of chromosomes, in order to return to the womb only chromosomal correct embryos. This is certainly the most precise method of selection - REAL EMBRYO, which will spare many couples the trauma of dealing with a failed cycle or a miscarriage. Continuous monitoring of embryo development - TIME LAPSE Primo Vision Selection of the best embryo is one of the key tasks for embryologists in the process of In vitro fertilization. As a rule, during the IVF process multiple embryos are obtained and it is necessary to choose the best, or several of them, for transfer to the uterus, while the remaining embryos are usually frozen. Selection of the best embryo is important because the quality of embryos has the greatest influence on the chance for pregnancy. Returning genetically defective embryos of lower quality do not provide a real chance for success; it brings disappointment, stress because of eventual failure and possibility of the abortion. Consequently, for decades scientists are working on finding the best techniques of selection embryos. Morphological analysis or analysis of appearance, shapes and other visual characteristics of embryos is traditionally used. This is a standard procedure, used for a long time, and to some extent accurate and reliable, but often does not correspond to the real situation. This has led to the so-called morphogenetic analysis, or TIME LAPSE analysis, systems of continuous video monitoring of embryo development from its inception to the moment of transfer of the uterus. In addition to the analysis of appearance of embryos, TIME LAPSE also analyzes other characteristics such as the growth rate from one phase to another, and many other parameters to the basis of which a special computer program calculates the chance that the embryo has a genetic defect, and determines which the best embryos are for transfer. It should be noted that even this system is not perfect, and it often happens that even a perfect embryos in this system have chromosomal abnormalities. Therefore, as the best standard in the analysis of the quality of embryos, is considered genetic analysis procedure PGD and PGS. Another big advantage, because of which, according to some research, there is an increased chance of success when using the TIME LAPSE analysis, is that the embryos are not disturbed and not removed from the incubator to assess the morphology, thus are grown in optimal conditions. All of our patients, as a special benefit of using this system, will be enabled to a complete insight into the state of development of their embryos electronically, even online in the future, and thereby will be able to share these moments with us.

Acupuncture