PGD – The Newest Art Here is the latest form of ART known as Preimplantation Genetic Diagnosis, which is introduced for the first time in India. Including us, only few other Indian clinics have initiated this service and we are proud to be the first to succeed in acquiring pregnancy through PGD. PGD combines the ART or assisted reproductive technology with molecular genetics and obviously is the latest technique in this segment. This technique facilitates the physicians to detect if any genetic ailments exist in the embryo, much before its implant. This is ahead of confirming the pregnancy. Basically, PGD was meant for those who were prone to produce children with genetic disorders like hemophilia. This risk usually deferred them from their biological offspring. Such couples trying to gain parenthood were usually made to tackle a variant of “Russian Roulette” and more often than not had to cease their pregnancies because it was hazardous. If we take an example of a woman who has hemophilia genes, it can be predictably said that 50% risk exists that her male offspring will come out affected. Remaining 50% is the risk for her female offspring as a carrier of those genes; however they will be delivered normal clinically. Foreseeing an affected child, woman may better refrain from getting pregnant. But if she is sure that it’s a baby girl she has conceived, should would get pregnant. And this has been brought to reality through Preimplantation Diagnosis. In other words, PGD capably diagnoses hemophilia affected fetus well ahead of time and reduces a probability of teminating pregnancy. What is the process of performing PGD? IVF or In Vitro Fertilisation is the first step in the process of PGD. Treatment begins right from the first day of IVF cycle, or the day when menstruation begins. HMG is injected every day in specified doses so that the number of eggs grown can multiply. Eggs start maturing eggs in approx. 12 to 14 days and this can be determined through ultrasound; this is when eggs are retrieved through guided vaginal ultrasound. Surgery isn’t involved here. After the eggs fertilise, it is time for the biopsy of embryos on 3

rd day; at this

time the experts can establish the genotype of embryos. It is also easier to identify the normal embryos and exclude rest. Normal embryos are now planted in uterus and this additionally confirms that the baby to arrive will be normal, if you successfully conceive. PGD has brought about a revolutionary change because you as intended parents can be sure of a normal baby playing in your hands. IVF treatment gets safer as well. Moreover, the hormonal injections are free from any side-effects and do not trigger obesity. Neither do they leave any adversity for future pregnancies. However, there is one risk involved. In spite of all the money invested and efforts applied, there is no guarantee that it will lead to pregnancy. Regardless of a specialized and efficient process to produce embryos, and precisely establishing their genotype at the FISH lab, it is uncertain whether the implanted embryos successfully shift to the uterus, and lead to pregnancy. Evidently, the success rate at our clinic with pregnancy from PGD is 40% in case of women below the age of 35, wherein 3 embryos are transferred. Fluorescent In Situ Hybridisation better known as FISH is a technique in which a single cell genetic material is analysed. Using the unique fluorescent probes for a specific chromosome, FISH helps experts to monitor embryos to confirm normality of chromosomes. Vysis, US is a leading manufacturer of FISH probes and ensures their commercial availability. They have got specific probes for specific outcomes, as in case of AneuVysion 18/X/Y probe, which is supported by a fluorescent microscope and facilitates experts to scrutinize no. of chromosomes 18, X and Y. Embryos are placed in culture throughout the analysis of a single cell and are allowed to scatter. This is when experts can separate normal embryos and reinstate in uterus for further proceeding.