PGT-A, or Preimplantation Genetic Testing for Aneuploidy, is a specialized genetic test that is used in in-vitro fertilization (IVF) procedures. Aneuploidy is a condition where there is an abnormal number of chromosomes in a cell, which can lead to birth defects or miscarriages if the embryo with the abnormality is implanted. PGT-A is used to screen embryos for aneuploidies before they are implanted into the uterus.
During IVF, embryos are created by fertilizing eggs with sperm in a laboratory. These embryos are then cultured for a few days until they reach a certain stage of development. At this point, a few cells are removed from each embryo and tested for aneuploidies using PGT-A. Embryos that are found to be chromosomally normal are then selected for implantation.
PGT-A can help increase the chances of a successful pregnancy in IVF by selecting the embryos that are most likely to result in a healthy pregnancy. However, it is not without controversy, as some research suggests that PGT-A may not always accurately predict which embryos will result in a successful pregnancy. Additionally, PGT-A can be expensive and not all insurance plans cover it.