PGT vs PGD: Genetic Testing for IVF Success | Best IVF Hospital in Kerala
- AMALSHA S
- 3 days ago
- 5 min read
Updated: 2 days ago
Optimizing Parenthood: Why Genetic Testing is Key to IVF Success
The journey through In Vitro Fertilization (IVF) is one filled with hope, anticipation, and often, complex decisions. For many couples, achieving a pregnancy is only the first goal; the ultimate desire is the birth of a healthy child.
This is where advanced genetic testing of embryos comes into play, offering a powerful tool to screen for chromosomal abnormalities and inherited diseases before implantation.
If you are exploring IVF treatment in Kerala, you may have heard terms like PGT, PGD, or PGS. While the terminology can be confusing, the goal remains clear: to select the healthiest embryos, thereby increasing success rates, and reducing the risk of miscarriage and genetic disorders.
At Bliss Fertility Hospital, recognized as the Best IVF center in Kerala and a leading Fertility Treatment Hospital in Kerala, we provide clarity and precision in this vital step. We ensure every patient—whether undergoing male infertility treatment or Female Infertility Treatments—has access to the most sophisticated options available.
PGT vs PGD: Clarifying the Terminology
In modern reproductive medicine, PGT (Preimplantation Genetic Testing) is the umbrella term for all genetic testing performed on embryos created through IVF before they are transferred to the uterus.
PGT replaced the older, more general terms:
PGD (Preimplantation Genetic Diagnosis): This term is now primarily referred to as PGT-M.
PGS (Preimplantation Genetic Screening): This term is now referred to as PGT-A.
To make an informed decision at the Best IVF Clinic in Kottayam, it is essential to understand the two main categories of PGT and what each screens for.
1. PGT-A: Preimplantation Genetic Testing for Aneuploidy (Formerly PGS)
PGT-A is the most common form of embryo screening. Its purpose is to count the number of chromosomes in the embryo's cells.
What is Aneuploidy? A human embryo should have 46 chromosomes (23 pairs). Aneuploidy means the embryo has too few or too many chromosomes (e.g., 45 or 47), which is a common reason for failed implantation, early miscarriage, or genetic syndromes like Down syndrome.
Who is PGT-A Recommended For?
Women with advanced maternal age (typically 35 or older), as the risk of aneuploidy increases significantly with age.
Couples who have experienced recurrent miscarriages.
Patients with a history of multiple failed IVF cycles despite transferring embryos that looked healthy visually.
Couples with male infertility treatment issues, especially if the male partner has severe factors requiring procedures like PESA sperm retrieval or Micro-TESE, as some sperm issues can contribute to aneuploidy.
By selecting only euploid (chromosomally normal) embryos, PGT-A allows our specialists at Bliss to confidently perform a single embryo transfer, improving the overall success rate of your IVF treatment in Kerala and reducing the time taken to achieve a healthy pregnancy.
2. PGT-M: Preimplantation Genetic Testing for Monogenic/Single-Gene Disorders (Formerly PGD)
PGT-M is utilized when one or both prospective parents are known carriers of a specific genetic disease.
What is a Monogenic Disorder? These are conditions caused by a mutation in a single gene, such as Cystic Fibrosis, Thalassemia, Huntington's Disease, or Sickle Cell Anemia.
The Goal: PGT-M involves highly specialized testing to determine if an embryo has inherited the specific gene mutation known to be present in the family.
Why it Matters: This testing provides invaluable peace of mind, allowing couples to prevent the transmission of a serious hereditary disease to their child.
This highly sensitive procedure requires specific probe development based on the family’s genetic markers and is part of the Advanced infertility care trivandrum offered by Bliss.
The PGT Process: Integration with Your IVF Cycle
PGT is not a standalone procedure; it is seamlessly integrated into the IVF cycle.
Ovarian Stimulation: The female partner receives hormonal medication—part of the essential Ovulation stimulation treatment Kerala—to produce multiple eggs.
Fertilization: Eggs are retrieved and fertilized in the lab, often using ICSI, especially if the couple is undergoing male infertility treatment requiring Sperm extraction procedure Kerala.
Embryo Culture and Biopsy: The resulting embryos are grown to the blastocyst stage (Day 5 or 6). An embryologist then performs a micro-surgical biopsy, safely removing a few cells from the outer layer (trophectoderm), which eventually forms the placenta. The critical step of removing these cells for testing is a hallmark of Advanced infertility care trivandrum.
Cryopreservation: After the biopsy, the embryos are immediately frozen using advanced techniques like vitrification. We offer transparent information on Egg/sperm freezing in Kerala and Cryopreservation cost Kerala to help patients plan for future cycles.
Genetic Analysis: The cells are shipped to a specialized genetic laboratory for analysis.
Transfer: Once the results confirm which embryos are genetically normal (euploid and/or free of the specific monogenic disorder), a frozen embryo transfer (FET) is scheduled.
Making Informed Financial Decisions: Cost and Value
We understand that patients often inquire about the Cost of IVF in Kerala and how genetic testing impacts their overall investment. While PGT does add an additional fee to the cycle, it offers tremendous long-term value by:
Improving Efficiency: By selecting the healthiest embryos, PGT significantly increases the chance of success with the very first transfer, potentially saving the emotional and financial burden of multiple failed cycles.
Reducing Miscarriage Risk: Transferring a chromosomally normal embryo drastically lowers the chance of miscarriage, which is frequently caused by aneuploidy.
Bliss Fertility strives to offer compassionate care and transparent pricing. While specific quotes depend on the type of test (PGT-A or PGT-M) and the number of embryos tested, we aim to be among the most Affordable IVF clinics in Kottayam and Affordable IVF clinics in Tirur without compromising quality. We also provide clear information on procedures like TESA cost in Kerala for our male infertility patients.
Your Trusted Partner in Kerala
Choosing a facility for PGT requires a specialized team: expert fertility consultants, skilled embryologists, and a dedicated genetic counseling staff. Bliss Fertility Hospital ensures all these pillars are in place, solidifying our reputation as the Best infertility hospital in Kerala.
Whether you are weighing the differences between IUI vs IVF in Trivandrum, or you need advanced diagnostic services like Semen test price Kerala before starting treatment, our team is ready to guide you.
We integrate state-of-the-art technology with personalized care, ensuring your family-building journey is supported every step of the way.
Conclusion and Your Next Steps
Preimplantation Genetic Testing (PGT) represents a monumental leap forward in fertility treatment, offering couples the highest probability of a healthy, full-term pregnancy.
Whether you require PGT-A to screen for general chromosomal health or PGT-M to prevent a known hereditary condition, this technology is a testament to the Advanced infertility care trivandrum available right here in Kerala.
Ready to maximize your IVF success?
If you have a history of recurrent miscarriages, advanced maternal age, or a known genetic condition, PGT might be the missing piece of your fertility plan. The most important next step is to speak directly with an expert.
Contact Bliss Fertility Hospital today to schedule your personalized consultation. Our specialists will review your specific case, discuss the optimal PGT strategy for you, and provide a clear breakdown of the Cost of IVF in Kerala. Start your journey to parenthood with confidence at the leading Best IVF hospital in Kottayam,Tirur,Trivandrum. Call Now
+91 62 62 62 32 62 (Kottayam & Maldives)
+91 88 22 55 66 33 (Tirur)
+91 99 47 70 00 06 (Trivandrum)