PGD

The birth of a healthy baby is the greatest wish of every mother and father. Thanks to advances in modern medical technologies, genetic risks can now be identified before pregnancy occurs, offering couples a much safer and more reassuring pregnancy journey.

Preimplantation Genetic Diagnosis (PGD) is an advanced diagnostic method that allows the genetic evaluation of embryos before pregnancy, especially for couples who carry a risk of hereditary diseases linked to sex chromosomes. The primary goal is to transfer only healthy embryos and minimize the risk of genetic disorders.

PGD Screening with a 96–99% Accuracy Rate

Next-generation technologies used in in vitro fertilization (IVF) treatments continue to increase the chances of having a healthy baby every day. PGD is an extremely precise and reliable method that enables the detection of embryos carrying genetic anomalies or chromosomal abnormalities before they are transferred to the uterus.

Through this comprehensive genetic analysis, couples gain clear information about the genetic health of embryos before pregnancy begins. As a result, a more peaceful and emotionally secure pregnancy process becomes possible.

If either the mother or father is a carrier of a hereditary genetic disease, genetic problems may occur in the embryos. This may lead to failure to achieve pregnancy, miscarriage, or serious health issues for the baby during pregnancy. PGD aims to identify these risks from the very beginning and lay the foundation for a healthy pregnancy.

PGD Is Especially Recommended For:

• Women aged 35 and over
• Individuals with a family history of genetic diseases
• Couples with consanguineous (related) marriages
• Couples who have experienced recurrent miscarriages
• Families who previously had a baby with chromosomal abnormalities
• Couples who wish to experience a safer and less stressful pregnancy

Through sex chromosome analysis performed as part of PGD, it is possible to prevent sex-linked hereditary diseases. This procedure is carried out entirely within medical and ethical guidelines in a laboratory setting. Therefore, regardless of fertility status, couples must undergo a standard IVF treatment process.

Which Genetic Risks Can Be Detected with PGD?

1. Sex chromosome–linked genetic disorders (e.g., X-linked hereditary diseases)
2. Common chromosomal anomalies such as Down syndrome and Turner syndrome
3. Single-gene disorders requiring priority screening (such as cystic fibrosis, thalassemia, muscular dystrophy, sickle cell anemia, etc.)

At Miracle Team Cyprus IVF Center, we perform PGD procedures with a 96–99% accuracy rate, adhering to the highest quality and safety standards.

PGD Treatment Process in Cyprus

The PGD process is a comfortable and well-controlled treatment journey planned according to each couple’s needs:

1. Detailed genetic and hormonal evaluations are performed for both the mother and father.
2. Ovarian stimulation treatment begins on the 2nd or 3rd day of the menstrual cycle. This phase can start and continue in the couple’s home city.
3. The egg development process lasts approximately 10–12 days and is completed with a single trigger injection.
4. Egg retrieval is performed under mild anesthesia within 10–15 minutes. The mother can return to daily life the same day.
5. On the same day, a sperm sample is collected from the father and the ICSI (microinjection) method is applied.
6. Embryos are cultured in special incubators or, if preferred, monitored 24/7 using the Embryoscope system.
7. On the third day, a single-cell biopsy is taken from the embryos for PGD analysis. The embryo is not harmed during this procedure and rapidly compensates for the removed cell.
8. Genetically healthy, high-quality embryos are transferred to the uterus on the 5th day through a painless procedure. At this stage, the mother is fully awake and can even watch the transfer process.

When Should PGD Be Considered?

• If there is a risk of genetic diseases linked to sex chromosomes
• If medical issues exist prior to pregnancy
• If chromosomal abnormality carrier status is present
• If a baby with a genetic syndrome was previously born
• If pregnancy is planned after the age of 35
• If genetic disease carrier status is known
• If invasive procedures such as amniocentesis are to be avoided

NGS | Next Generation Sequencing

Next Generation Sequencing (NGS) is an advanced genetic screening technology that allows detailed analysis of all chromosomes in embryos. Due to its ability to increase live birth rates, it is considered one of the most comprehensive methods available today.

At Miracle Team Cyprus IVF Center, we aim to maximize treatment success by offering this advanced technology to our patients.

Differences Between PGD and NGS

The main difference between PGD and NGS lies in the timing and scope of the genetic analysis. In Preimplantation Genetic Diagnosis (PGD), a biopsy is taken from embryos on the 3rd day after fertilization, when they consist of 8 cells, and 5 chromosomes—including sex chromosomes—are examined. In Next Generation Sequencing (NGS), the biopsy is taken on the 5th day after fertilization, when embryos have reached the hatching blastocyst stage, from the trophectoderm, and all 23 chromosomes are analyzed.

Another important difference is the timeline. With PGD, genetic screening results can be obtained within 2 days, couples need to travel to Cyprus only once, and the entire treatment process—from egg retrieval to embryo transfer—can be completed within 6 days. With NGS, genetic testing takes longer, requiring couples to travel to Cyprus twice: first for egg retrieval and fertilizationand second for the transfer of healthy embryos. In NGS, the period between egg retrieval and frozen embryo transfer is approximately 2 months.