The Genetics & IVF Institute is now offering 24 Chromosome Microarray, which is a new, comprehensive test used as part of an IVF cycle to evaluate the number of chromosomes present in an embryo before it is transferred to the mother. Previous tests could examine only 5-12 chromosomes, so the 24 chromosome test is a major advance.
Chromosome abnormalities in an embryo are the most common reason for failed IVF cycles and miscarriage after pregnancy. Even among the most advanced day 5 embryos (blastocyst), 25-40% are abnormal in women 35 years of age and younger when tested by 24 Chromosome Microarray. This increases to around a 60% abnormality rate in women of age 41 and older. Transferring embryos with normal 24 Chromosome Microarray results decreases the risk for miscarriage while increasing the likelihood of successful implantation and of achieving a normal pregnancy.
24 Chromosome Microarray may be especially valuable for patients with a history of multiple or recurrent pregnancy loss, repeated failed IVF cycles despite the transfer of apparently good quality embryos, or severe male factor infertility.
The test begins by removing several cells from a 5 day old embryo. In many cases, the results are available in time for a fresh embryo transfer on day 6 of embryo development. With more than twenty years of experience in PGD (preimplantation genetic diagnosis), GIVF is one of the only labs in the nation that can perform the 24 Chromosome Microarray on embryo samples in its own on site PGD laboratory. Many other clinics offering this test must freeze embryos while shipping samples to off-site labs. Freezing makes embryos less likely to produce a successful pregnancy.
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