In Vitro Fertilization (IVF)

Is embryo biopsy the correct choice for you?

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Originally it was thought that if infertile women of advanced maternal age, or women previously having failed IVF, or women with unexplained repetitive miscarriages underwent IVF with preimplantation genetic screening that live birth rates would improve. This is not the case as expressed in a committee opinion released by the American Society for Reproductive Medicine. According to a review of published studies the potential benefits of this technique have not been realized. This opinion has drawn criticism from the Preimplantation Genetic Diagnosis International Society who state that if careful analysis is performed in experienced hands then embryo biopsy is unequivocally beneficial in patients suffering from chromosomal translocations, but also repeated miscarriages and often in advanced maternal age.

Currently embryo biopsy comprises less than 5% of IVF cases at Carolina Conceptions. Currently we send a blastomere, or biopsied cell from the 3 day old embryo to Reprogenetics (http://www.reprogenetics.com). Only those embryos that are of good quality are biopsied (minimal fragmentation and 8 cell in development). You will have the opportunity to discuss the advantages and disadvantages of this technique with Drs. Meyer and Couchman in advance of your cycle.