Abstract
Preimplantation genetic diagnosis (PGD) has become a practical tool in assisted reproductive technology for selecting those embryos with higher developmental potential, thus, improving the effectiveness of IVF. This is performed by detection and avoidance of the transfer of aneuploid embryos, which are destined to be lost during implantation or postimplantation development and constitute more than 50% of the oocytes and embryos obtained from poor-prognosis IVF patients. Clearly, the current selection of embryos for transfer based on morphologic criteria cannot avoid the transfer of aneuploid embryos. Therefore, PGD seems to be the logical extension of preselection of embryos for transfer. The number of IVF cycles for which selection of embryos free of chromosomal disorders has been performed is growing significantly, with at least 24,000 cycles performed to date for poor-prognosis IVF patients, including those with advanced reproductive age, repeated IVF failure and recurrent spontaneous abortions. The available experience has provided evidence that PGD for chromosomal disorders may soon become a practical tool for preselection of embryos with the highest developmental potential in an effort to improve the effectiveness of IVF.
Financial & competing interests disclosure
The authors have no relevant affiliations or financial involvement with any organization or entity with a financial interest in or financial conflict with the subject matter or materials discussed in the manuscript. This includes employment, consultancies, honoraria, stock ownership or options, expert testimony, grants or patents received or pending, or royalties.
No writing assistance was utilized in the production of this manuscript.