PGT-A Sex Selection
Steps Involved in IVF:
Procedure Description
Preimplantation Genetic Testing for Aneuploidies (PGT-A), formerly known as PGS (Preimplantation Genetic Screening), is an advanced reproductive technology aimed at identifying chromosomal abnormalities in embryos before they are transferred to the uterus during in vitro fertilization (IVF). This technique enhances the chances of successful pregnancy outcomes by selecting genetically healthy embryos. One of the most notable uses of PGT-A is for sex selection, allowing prospective parents to select the desired gender of their offspring.
PGT-A is performed as part of an IVF cycle, where embryos are created in a lab and then biopsied to test for chromosomal normalcy. By analyzing the chromosomal content of embryos, the technique ensures that only euploid embryos—those with the correct number of chromosomes—are chosen for transfer. This screening process minimizes the risks of genetic abnormalities and increases the probability of a healthy pregnancy.
The PGT-A process has grown increasingly popular for sex selection due to its accuracy. Once the chromosomal analysis is complete, it is possible to identify the sex of each embryo based on its genetic makeup (XX for female, XY for male). Parents opting for PGT-A can then choose the embryo of their desired sex, which is later implanted in the uterus to initiate pregnancy.
Procedure Duration
The PGT-A sex selection process is tied to the standard IVF cycle, which typically lasts between four to six weeks. The process starts with ovarian stimulation, where medication is administered to the intended mother to produce multiple eggs. These eggs are then retrieved through a minimally invasive procedure and fertilized in the lab using sperm from the intended father or a donor.
Once fertilization occurs, the embryos are allowed to grow for around five to seven days until they reach the blastocyst stage. At this point, a small biopsy is taken from each embryo. This biopsy involves the removal of several cells from the embryo's outer layer, which does not harm the embryo or its developmental potential. The genetic material in these cells is then sent for chromosomal analysis.
The testing and analysis phase generally takes up to one week. Once the results are available, indicating which embryos are chromosomally normal and their respective sex, the parents and medical team decide which embryo(s) will be transferred. The embryo transfer is a quick and painless procedure, generally taking place about one month after the initial IVF cycle began. Following transfer, a pregnancy test is performed around ten days later to confirm implantation success.
Benefits of PGT-A Sex Selection
- Improved Pregnancy Success Rates: By transferring only chromosomally normal embryos, PGT-A increases the likelihood of successful pregnancy and decreases the risk of miscarriage.
- Accurate Sex Selection: PGT-A offers nearly 100% accuracy for determining and selecting the sex of embryos, making it an effective option for those with gender preferences.
- Reduction of Genetic Disorders: PGT-A helps reduce the risk of chromosomal disorders, such as Down syndrome, by ensuring that only euploid embryos are used for transfer.
- Family Balancing: The technology allows families to choose the gender of their child, which can be especially helpful for families seeking to balance their household's gender ratio.
- Personalized Reproductive Planning: PGT-A enables parents to make informed decisions regarding their reproductive plans, whether to reduce the risk of hereditary genetic conditions or for personal preferences regarding family makeup.
Potential Destinations for PGT-A Sex Selection
- United States Known for its cutting-edge reproductive technologies and reputable fertility clinics, the U.S. is a popular destination for PGT-A. Its strict regulatory standards and access to experienced fertility specialists make it an ideal choice for medical tourists.
- Spain Spain is renowned for its advanced reproductive medicine practices and favorable legal framework for PGT-A. The country has a strong network of fertility clinics with state-of-the-art technologies, making it an attractive destination for international patients.
- Thailand As a major medical tourism hub, Thailand offers world-class healthcare services, including IVF and PGT-A. The country's fertility centers are equipped with modern facilities, and the overall treatment costs are relatively lower than in Western countries, making it a cost-effective option.
- Mexico Mexico is increasingly popular for fertility treatments due to its proximity to the U.S. and affordable care costs. The fertility clinics in Mexico adhere to international standards, and many practitioners are bilingual, facilitating communication for medical tourists.
- Greece Greece is gaining recognition for its advanced reproductive technologies, including PGT-A. The country's fertility centers are known for offering personalized care, shorter waiting times, and competitive pricing, which appeal to international patients seeking quality treatment.
Risks & Considerations of PGT-A Sex Selection
- Emotional and Psychological Impact: The desire for a specific sex might lead to disappointment if the procedure is not successful or does not yield embryos of the desired gender.
- Limited Embryo Availability: After screening, fewer embryos may be available for transfer, especially if many are found to be aneuploid or of the undesired sex, reducing the overall chances of successful implantation.
- Cost and Accessibility: PGT-A sex selection is an add-on to the already expensive IVF process, which may not be covered by insurance. This can limit access for individuals and couples who are financially constrained.
- Legal and Ethical Issues: Some countries have regulations or bans on sex selection for non-medical reasons, making it crucial for potential patients to understand local laws and policies before proceeding.
- Possible Procedure Risks: Though minimally invasive, IVF and embryo biopsy carry some risks, including potential harm to embryos, ovarian hyperstimulation syndrome (OHSS), and procedural discomfort or complications.
How to Choose the Right Doctor and Hospital
Selecting a qualified doctor and hospital for PGT-A sex selection requires careful consideration of multiple factors. Patients should seek out clinics with high success rates for IVF and PGT-A, as well as a transparent and documented history of their outcomes. It's also crucial to verify the accreditation of the clinic and the qualifications of the reproductive endocrinologists and embryologists who will be performing the procedure.
Prospective patients should look for clinics that offer comprehensive support, including counseling, laboratory services, and transparent pricing. Reviews and testimonials from other patients can provide insight into the clinic's quality of care and professionalism. It's advisable to ask about the clinic’s experience with international patients, as a team familiar with medical tourism can offer better guidance on travel logistics, legalities, and overall patient experience.
To receive a free quote for this procedure please click on the link: https://www.medicaltourism.com/get-a-quote
Patients are advised to seek hospitals that are accredited by Global Healthcare and only work with medical tourism facilitators who are certified by Global Healthcare Accreditation or who have undergone certification from the Certified Medical Travel Professionals (CMTP). This ensures that the highest standards in the industry are met. GHA accredits the top hospitals in the world. These are the best hospitals in the world for quality and providing the best patient experience. Click the link to check out hospitals accredited by the Global Healthcare Accreditation: https://www.globalhealthcareaccreditation.com
Frequently Asked Questions
What actually happens during hyperstimulation of the ovaries?
The patient will take injectable FSH (follicle stimulating hormone) for eight to eleven days, depending on how long the follicles take to mature. This hormone is produced naturally in a woman’s body causing one egg to develop per cycle. Taking the injectable FSH causes several follicles to develop at once, at approximately the same rate. The development is monitored with vaginal ultrasounds and following the patient’s levels of estradiol and progesterone. FSH brand names include Repronex, Follistim, Menopur, Gonal-F and Bravelle. The patient injects herself daily.
What happens during egg retrieval?
When the follicles have developed enough to be harvested, the patient attends an appointment where she is anesthetized and prepared for the procedure. Next, the doctor uses an ultrasound probe to guide a needle through the vaginal wall and into the follicle of the ovary. The thin needle draws the follicle fluid, which is then examined by an embryologist to find the eggs. The whole process takes about 20 minutes.
What happens to the eggs?
In the next step, the harvested eggs are then fertilized. If the sperm from the potential father, or in some cases, anonymous donor, has normal functionality, the eggs and sperm are placed together in a dish with a nutrient fluid, then incubated overnight to fertilize normally. If the sperm functionality is suboptimal, an embryologist uses Intracytoplasmic Sperm Injection to inject a single sperm into a single egg with an extremely precise glass needle. Once fertilization is complete, the embryos are assessed and prepared to be transferred to the patient’s uterus.
How are the embryos transferred back to the uterus?
The doctor and the patient will discuss the number of embryos to be transferred. The number of successfully fertilized eggs usually determines the number of eggs to be placed in the uterus. Embryos are transferred to the uterus with transabdominal ultrasound guidance. This process does not require anesthesia, but it can cause minor cervical or uterine discomfort. Following transfer, the patient is advised to take at least one days bed rest and two or three additional days of rest, then 10 to 12 days later, two pregnancy tests are scheduled to confirm success. Once two positive tests are completed, an obstetrical ultrasound is ordered to show the sac, fetal pole, yolk sac and fetal heart rate.
Embryoscope©
Built into this technology there is a microscope with a powerful camera that allows the uninterrupted monitoring of the embryo during its first hours of life. In this way, we can keep a close eye on the embryo, from the moment when the oocyte is inseminated and begins to divide into smaller and smaller cells, until it can be transferred to the uterus.
Orthopedics Stem Cell
Knee
Research on mesenchymal stem cells regenerative properties in knee osteoarthritis. In these studies, researchers suggest that Stem Cell Therapy has the potential to regenerate lost cartilage, stop and reverse cartilage degeneration, provide pain relief, and improve patient mobility.
Shoulder
Stem Cell Therapy as an Alternative to Rotator Cuff & Shoulder Replacement Surgery. Stem cell therapy may offer an excellent alternative for patients looking to avoid shoulder joint replacement surgery, as well as many other surgical treatments for shoulder pain.
Ankle
If you suffer from chronic or acute ankle pain or instability due to arthritis, cartilage loss, ligament strain or tear, or tendon damage, then you may benefit from non-surgical stem cell treatments or stem cell-enhanced surgery.
Back Pain
Patients now have a minimally invasive option. Stem cell therapy for back pain and disc herniations can potentially repair the damaged disc or facet joint, restore function, rehydrate the disc, and ultimately alleviate chronic pain.
Anti-Aging Stem Cell
Hair Loss
Stem cell therapy and PRP therapy have been shown to be most effective for: Those in the early stages of hair loss, patients who are not viable candidates for surgery and women who prefer to avoid hair surgery.
Facial Anti-Aging
Aesthetic Anti-Aging. The Aesthetic Stem Cell Localized Treatment is a non-surgical minimally invasive procedure to enhance the appearance of aging skin and hair restoration. This all-natural technique combines dermal injections of bone marrow or adipose tissue derived stem cells and growth factors.
Fertility Stem Cell
Endometrial PRP
The stem cells used for treatment of a thin endometrium include mesenchymal stem cells. In addition, successful repair of the endometrium in pregnancy with stem cells has been reported previously.
Low Ovarian Reserve (PRP)
The treatment uses PRP (Platelet-Rich-Plasma), which with stem cell therapy is the novel therapeutic approach for restoring the quality of the ovarian reserve.Your PRP will contain a physiologic balance of platelets, growth factors and white blood cells tailored specifically for you.
Punta Mita Hospital
Mexico
Punta Mita Hospital - Genesis Cell
Mexico
