Embryo biopsy
Chromosome testing of embryos
Some people choose to do chromosome testing of their embryos before transfer. In this case, at the blastocyst stage of development we remove a small piece of the trophectoderm layer and place it in a tiny tube. The embryo and tube containing the cells are labelled with the same number, (so embryo number 1 has its tube labelled number 1).
The embryo is then frozen and kept in the lab storage tanks at the IVF lab and the biopsied cells are sent to a genetics lab for testing.
FAQ: Q: “do we know the embryo testing results by the time we freeze the embryos?” A: No we freeze all the embryos we biopsy before we know the results. the results can take 1-2 weeks.
FAQ: Q: “what are we testing for in the embryos?” A: the number of chromosomes in each embryo. Humans have 23 pairs of chromosomes in each cell of their body. The chromosomes contain all the genetic material to make us who we are. When we test your embryos, we are looking for the number of chromosomes. If there is an extra or missing chromosome in an embryo then it either will not implant in the uterus, it may miscarry or it may result in an abnormal baby. Very few types of chromosomally abnormal embryos are compatible with life. The exceptions are Downs Syndrome (extra chromosome 21) Edwards syndrome (extra chromosome 18) and Patou syndrome (extra chromosome 13). Testing the embryos helps us to choose which embryo to transfer from the group you have available.
If you are having testing for a genetic mutation that can be passed onto your offspring then the genetics lab will test the embryos for the presence or absence of that specific mutation which will have been predetermined as part of your cycle planning.