09 May PGT-A Genetic Testing IVF: A Complete Guide for Couples
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PGT-A genetic testing IVF is one of the most significant advances in assisted reproduction in the past decade — and one of the most frequently misunderstood. It allows couples undergoing IVF to have their embryos screened for chromosomal abnormalities before transfer, selecting only chromosomally normal embryos and dramatically reducing the risk of implantation failure, miscarriage, and unsuccessful cycles.
At Fertibless Clinic in Delhi, Dr. Shipra Gupta offers PGT-A genetic testing IVF as part of an integrated approach to maximising the success of every embryo transfer — particularly for couples who have experienced previous failures or are at higher risk of chromosomal abnormality.
What Is PGT-A Genetic Testing in IVF?
PGT-A stands for Preimplantation Genetic Testing for Aneuploidies. In PGT-A genetic testing IVF, a small number of cells (typically 5–8) are biopsied from a Day 5 or Day 6 blastocyst embryo and sent to a genetics laboratory. The cells are analysed for the number of chromosomes in each cell — a normal human embryo should have 46 chromosomes (23 pairs).
Embryos with the correct chromosome number are called euploid — these are the embryos most likely to implant successfully and result in a healthy birth. Embryos with too many or too few chromosomes are called aneuploid — these typically fail to implant, result in miscarriage, or in some cases cause chromosomal conditions such as Down syndrome.
Understanding embryo quality before transfer is also informed by IVF embryo grading — our dedicated article explains the grading system in full and how it relates to PGT-A testing.
PGT-A Genetic Testing IVF — Who Should Consider It?
PGT-A genetic testing IVF is recommended for:
- Women over 37 — The proportion of chromosomally abnormal eggs rises steeply with age. At 40, over 60% of eggs may be aneuploid. PGT-A genetic testing IVF allows only the normal embryos to be transferred, regardless of the mother’s age.
- Recurrent implantation failure — Couples who have had two or more failed embryo transfers despite good-quality embryos should consider PGT-A genetic testing IVF. Undetected aneuploidy is a leading cause of repeated unexplained transfer failure.
- Recurrent pregnancy loss — Chromosomal abnormalities in embryos are responsible for a significant proportion of early pregnancy losses. PGT-A genetic testing IVF breaks the cycle by transferring only tested, normal embryos.
- Previous chromosomally abnormal pregnancy — Couples who have had a pregnancy diagnosed with a chromosomal condition such as Down syndrome benefit from PGT-A genetic testing IVF in future cycles to screen embryos before transfer.
- Poor ovarian reserve — Women with low ovarian reserve often produce fewer embryos per cycle. It helps prioritise the strongest embryos for transfer, avoiding the heartbreak of using a precious embryo that was chromosomally abnormal.
Our article on recurrent pregnancy loss explores the full range of causes — including chromosomal factors — and explains where PGT-A fits into the treatment pathway.
PGT-A Genetic Testing IVF — The Process Step by Step
- Ovarian stimulation and egg retrieval — as in a standard IVF cycle.
- Fertilisation and embryo culture — embryos are cultured to Day 5 or Day 6 blastocyst stage.
- Trophectoderm biopsy — a specialist embryologist removes 5–8 cells from the outer layer (trophectoderm) of the blastocyst. This layer forms the placenta, not the fetus, so the biopsy itself does not harm the embryo.
- Embryo vitrification — all biopsied embryos are immediately frozen while awaiting genetic results.
- Genetic analysis — biopsy cells are analysed using Next-Generation Sequencing (NGS), the most comprehensive method currently available for PGT-A genetic testing IVF.
- Results and counselling — results are typically available in 7–14 days. Dr. Shipra Gupta reviews results with the couple and selects the euploid embryo for transfer.
- Frozen embryo transfer (FET) — the selected euploid embryo is transferred in a subsequent cycle. Read our guide on frozen embryo transfer for full preparation details.
Does PGT-A Genetic Testing IVF Guarantee Success?
No — and this is an important expectation to calibrate carefully. PGT-A genetic testing IVF eliminates chromosomally abnormal embryos from consideration, which dramatically improves the odds per transfer. But chromosomal normality is only one factor in implantation success — the uterine environment, endometrial receptivity, immune factors, and transfer timing all play roles.
Studies consistently show that transferring a euploid embryo after PGT-A genetic testing IVF results in live birth rates of 50–65% per transfer — significantly higher than untested embryo transfers in comparable populations. However, even a euploid embryo does not implant in every case.
PGT-A Genetic Testing IVF and Donor Egg Cycles
For women using donor eggs, PGT-A genetic testing IVF is typically less critical — because donor eggs from younger women carry far lower rates of aneuploidy. However, PGT-A may still be recommended if the male partner has high sperm DNA fragmentation, or if previous donor cycles have failed unexpectedly. Our article on IVF after 35 explores the donor egg option in full.
| Expert Insight — Dr. Shipra Gupta PGT-A genetic testing IVF has genuinely changed the conversation I have with couples about IVF success. When we can tell a couple that the embryo we are transferring has been confirmed chromosomally normal, it removes one of the biggest unknowns from the process. For women over 38, for couples with recurrent losses, and for those who have had multiple failed transfers, PGT-A genetic testing IVF is not just an add-on — it is often the single most important change we can make to their treatment plan. — Dr. Shipra Gupta, Infertility Specialist, Fertibless Clinic, Delhi |
Reference: ASRM Practice Guidelines on Preimplantation Genetic Testing — www.asrm.org | ESHRE — www.eshre.eu | NIH PubMed — PubMed
Frequently Asked Questions
Is PGT-A genetic testing IVF safe for the embryo?
Yes. The trophectoderm biopsy used in PGT-A genetic testing IVF removes cells from the outer layer of the blastocyst — the layer that becomes the placenta, not the fetus. Studies tracking the health of children born after PGT-A genetic testing IVF show no increased risk of birth defects, developmental problems, or health issues compared to unbiopsied embryo transfers.
Can PGT-A miss chromosomal abnormalities?
PGT-A genetic testing IVF using Next-Generation Sequencing is highly accurate — but not 100%. Mosaicism (where an embryo has a mix of normal and abnormal cells) can sometimes lead to inconclusive or misleading results. Additionally, PGT-A genetic testing IVF screens for chromosome number abnormalities — it does not detect single-gene disorders, which require separate PGT-M testing.
What is the difference between PGT-A and PGT-M?
PGT-A genetic testing IVF screens for aneuploidies — errors in chromosome number. PGT-M tests for specific single-gene mutations — such as cystic fibrosis, sickle cell disease, or BRCA mutations — in couples who are known carriers. Both can be done on the same biopsy sample but are analysed separately and serve different purposes.
How long do PGT-A genetic testing IVF results take?
Laboratory analysis typically takes 7–14 days after biopsy. During this time, all biopsied embryos are vitrified and stored. Results are reviewed with Dr. Shipra Gupta before scheduling the frozen embryo transfer cycle.
What happens if all my embryos are abnormal on PGT-A?
A: If all embryos in a cycle show chromosomal abnormalities on PGT-A genetic testing IVF, no transfer is performed in that cycle. This result — while deeply disappointing — is clinically valuable: it explains previous failures and guides decisions about future cycles, donor eggs, or alternative approaches. Another retrieval cycle may yield euploid embryos.
| Could PGT-A genetic testing IVF be right for you? Consult Dr. Shipra Guptaat Fertibless Clinic, Delhi to discuss whether chromosomal embryo screening should be part of your IVF plan. |
Dr. Shipra Gupta is a renowned obstetrician, gynaecologist, and infertility specialist, boasting over 17 years of invaluable clinical, teaching, and research experience. She has successfully performed more than 1200 cycles of IUI, IVF, natural cycle IVF, donor egg, and FET cycles. Dr. Gupta specializes in managing complex cases involving Advanced Maternal Age, PCO, Poor Ovarian Reserve, endometriosis, and unexplained infertility. Her expertise extends to treating recurrent IVF failures and male infertility.