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PGD is a technology that allows testing early embryos for the presence or absence of a genetic disorder, even before that embryo is transferred into a mother’s uterus (pre-pregnancy). Couples who are at increased risk for transmitting a known genetic disease to their children now have an option apart from traditional prenatal (during pregnancy) screening. PGD is offered at our Dallas, Texas fertility clinic. Our PGD specialists include board certified physicians and highly trained and skilled embryologists.
PGD can be used to evaluate for a sex linked genetic disorder (such as hemophilia or specific types of muscular dystrophy), other severe genetic diseases that involve a single abnormal gene (cystic  fibrosis, Tay Sachs), as well as abnormalities due to an abnormal number of chromosomes (Down’s Syndrome, other trisomies). PGD may be an option for families that would otherwise be forced to make difficult decisions when a pregnancy is already well-established.
PGD is applicable for couples who are carriers of defective genes that may cause a specific genetic disease in their offspring. Examples of these genetic diseases include Cystic Fibrosis, Fragile X Syndrome, Sickle Cell Anemia, Tay Sachs, Hemophilia, Thalassemia, and many more. PGD has also been applied when one spouse has a chromosomal defect known as a balanced translocation that greatly increases the risk of miscarriage (PGD and miscarriage). Very specific, sometimes individualized, molecular biology tests must be developed directly for each disease, and as time progresses, more diseases are added to the list of those that can be screened using PGD.
PGD's indications include “aneuploidy screening.” Normally, there are two copies of each chromosome in each cell. Aneuploidy refers to a genetic abnormality in which there is either too many (more than two) or too few chromosomes present. Infertility research is continuing to evaluate whether basic aneuploidy screening may increase IVF success rates, as well as possibly decrease miscarriage rates.
PGD is a part of an in vitro fertilization (IVF) cycles. Specifically, eggs are fertilized in the laboratory, and the resulting embryos cultured until mature, at which point a small opening is made in the embryonic cell membrane and a single cell is withdrawn (biopsy). During this early embryologic stage, each cell is essentially a “stem cell”, and the remaining embryonic cells can regenerate.
PGD biopsied cells are then used for specific testing. If you are a candidate for PGD, your physician will discuss the process with you and answer questions. PGD may, or may not, be indicated in your particular case. For PGD information call 214-363-5965.
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