Why Women of Advanced Age Should Consider Three-Generat
As women age, many wonder why conceiving becomes more challenging and why miscarriages are more common. The answer lies in our reproductive system, which functions like a clock that only moves forward. As we get older, our reproductive capabilities decline, resulting in fewer eggs and sperm, while their quality also diminishes. With a higher proportion of “bad seeds,” the chances of successful conception and pregnancy are reduced.
To address these concerns, we can assess the quality of our “seeds” through in vitro fertilization (IVF). The third generation of IVF builds on the earlier practices by incorporating pre-implantation genetic testing (PGT). This involves testing the cells of embryos at the blastocyst stage, which is categorized into three types: PGT-A (aneuploidy screening), PGT-M (diagnosis of single-gene disorders), and PGT-SR (diagnosis of chromosomal structural abnormalities).
Let’s focus on PGT-A (aneuploidy screening).
What is PGT-A and Why is it Important for Older Women?
PGT-A is a pre-implantation test that screens embryos for chromosomal abnormalities, known as aneuploidy. A prominent example of this is trisomy 21, commonly referred to as Down syndrome. Typically, humans have 23 pairs of chromosomes; aneuploidy occurs when there is a missing chromosome, an extra chromosome, or even multiple excess chromosomes.
Traditionally, embryo selection during IVF is based on morphological assessment, which can carry significant risks. Just because an embryo appears healthy does not guarantee that it has the correct chromosomal makeup. Most embryos with chromosomal abnormalities result in miscarriages or terminate pregnancies. A small number that do survive may lead to births with severe health issues. However, through PGT-A, the risk of these complications can be significantly reduced.
In summary, the aim of PGT-A is to prevent miscarriages related to chromosomal abnormalities, enhance the likelihood of successful pregnancies, and ultimately increase the rate of live births.