Increasing Demand for PGD at SDFC

PGD, or Preimplantation Genetic Diagnosis, introduced to the fertility world recently, gets requested more and more at SDFC. Drs. Hummel and Kettel recommend this genetic analysis to couples who carry a high risk for genetic disease or who have had previous children with genetic abnormalities. Since there is also an age related increase in chromosomal abnormalities, the doctors may recommend it to women over 37 years of age.

Only one cell is necessary to perform PGD. However, PGD at the Center must be done with an IVF cycle for which it is desirable to have at least 5 embryos or more. The biopsy for PGD is performed in our embryology lab. The single cell genetic testing is extremely difficult and requires a specialized “clean room” to avoid contamination. We are affiliated with genetic laboratories in Chicago and New Jersey, the most experienced fertility laboratories in the US, who take care of our PGD cases.