Preimplantation Genetic Testing (PGT)

What Is the Process of PGT?

PGT is an advanced embryo screening method performed by taking a small biopsy of each embryo to genetically assess for an abnormal number of chromosomes within the embryos. Embryos typically contain 23 pairs of chromosomes, 23 from the egg and 23 from the sperm, and thus a "normal" result is 46 XX or 46 XY.

At the blastocyst stage, embryos are made up of 80-100+ pluripotent cells, meaning the cells are still able to differentiate into the necessary parts of the growing embryo and placenta. Because of this, we can safely sample 4-7 cells of the trophectoderm (those cells that become the placenta) without causing damage to the growing embryo.

The biopsy is performed in-house then the samples are sent to an outside lab. The results are obtained before a transfer of the embryo into the uterus occurs.

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Pre-Implantation Genetic Testing

NRM is the only clinic in Vermont offering Pre-implantation Genetic Testing (PGT), a state-of-the-art procedure utilized when undergoing IVF to select embryos free of chromosomal abnormalities. PGT can improve the likelihood of IVF success and healthy pregnancy.

NRM also offers pre-implantation genetic diagnosis (PGDT-M) for individuals or couples who are known carriers of a specific genetic disease, such as Cystic Fibrosis, Spinal Muscular Atrophy, or other single gene disorders. PGDT-M allows identification of genetic disease to avoid passing the genetic disorder to offspring.