UPDATED: October 22, 2025 

As you start on your journey, you may ask yourself, what is embryo preimplantation genetic testing (PGT)? Preimplantation genetic testing/diagnosis (PGT/PGD) allows embryos to be tested for genetic and chromosomal conditions before transfer.  

  • PGT helps increase the chance of a successful pregnancy. 
  • There are two main types of testing: PGT-M, which is for monogenic disorders and PGT-A, which is for aneuploidy. 
  • It can identify embryo sex and prevent genetic diseases. 
  • PGT is not 100% accurate and may carry minor risks. 
  • AI-driven technology is being used for accuracy during embryo selection. 

What is PGT / PGD? 

Preimplantation genetic testing/diagnosis (PGT/PGD) is a diagnostic test that determines whether an embryo is affected by a genetic disorder passed on from one or both parents. Once embryos are tested, the parents can select the healthiest embryos to improve their chances of having a successful pregnancy.   

The test involves removing one or a few cells from the embryo and checking the DNA in a laboratory. This allows doctors to check for genetic problems that can cause the embryo to fail to implant or for the pregnancy to end in miscarriage. PGT can also help reduce the risk of a child being born with severe defects.  

During embryo selection, embryologists may use AI technology. AI can evaluate embryos with great accuracy since it is easier for AI to analyze subtle patterns compared to the human eye. This means that AI can help parents identify the healthiest embryo, therefore increasing their chances for a successful pregnancy. 

Testing can now detect a wide range of genetic conditions.  

There are two screening technologies available when using IVF: PGT-M and PGT-A.  

  • PGT-M = preimplantation genetic testing for monogenic disorders. This checks for a specific genetic disease that may have been passed down by one of the parents.  
  • PGT-A = preimplantation genetic testing for aneuploidy. This examines the embryo's chromosomes to check for conditions such as Down's Syndrome. It can also identify the gender of an embryo.  

Who should undergo PGT? 

Intended Parents undergoing IVF who may wish to opt for preimplantation testing include those who: 

  • Are aged 35 or over. 
  • May be carrying genetic disorders.  
  • Have a history of failed pregnancies or IVF procedures. 
  • Have DNA mutations or a family history of DNA mutations. 

What tests can PGT cover? 

Every year, the range of genetic tests that can be performed increases. PGT can now include tests for various chromosomal abnormalities, including: 

  • Trisomies such as Down syndrome  
  • Monosomies such as Turner's syndrome 
  • Sex chromosomal abnormalities 
  • Cystic fibrosis 
  • Sickle cell disease 
  • And many others! 

Why is PGT / PGD helpful? 

A significant advantage of these kinds of tests is that they can help to improve the chance of a successful IVF pregnancy, especially with the help of AI technology. Research suggests that PGT-A helps reduce conception time for women between the ages 35 and 42. Genetic issues or inherited disorders are some of the main reasons that embryo transfers fail.  

As an Intended Parent, you are already investing a large sum of money into building a family through reproductive technology. It only makes sense to ensure that the embryos used for transfer are normal, healthy, and have the best chance of a successful pregnancy – and a healthy baby! 

Can we choose the gender of our baby? 

Yes, it is possible to check for – and select – a boy or girl embryo. This process is called 'sex selection.' The results of the PGT will reveal the sex chromosomes of the embryos, which means Intended Parents can choose which gender they wish to transfer to their surrogate.  

There are many reasons intended parents choose one gender over another. such as example, it can prevent certain sex-linked traits such as hemophilia, congenital night blindness, Duchenne muscular dystrophy, or Fragile X syndrome.  

In other cases, parents who already have a son/s may want to have a daughter or vice versa. And in still other cases, a parent or parents may just long to add a little boy or a little girl to their family. 

Are there risks of PGT? 

As with any medical procedure, PGT is not 100% perfect.  

For a start, PGT does not come with guaranteed accuracy. An incorrect diagnosis is rare, but it can happen in a very small number of cases. It's possible for a genetic condition to be missed or for a pregnancy to fail.  

For this reason, couples may also wish to undergo further prenatal testing via blood tests, imaging studies, and other genetic testing to assess their baby's health throughout the pregnancy. 

There is also a small risk that PGT can damage the embryo or reduce its implantation potential. This is less likely if the biopsy is carried out at the blastocyst stage. 

It is also important to note that PGT has only been around for a couple of decades, and some risks may not yet be identified. 

The take-home message 

PGT is not about making 'designer babies.' It is about testing an embryo's genetic makeup – not altering it. Most importantly, PGT is done to ensure the health of the baby and the success of the pregnancy, which is extremely important for any parent undergoing IVF.  

At Family Source Consultants we are here to guide you through every step of the way. If you have questions about this process, we are happy to answer them.  

Get in touch with us ! Our family-building team will respond as soon as possible.  

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Staci Swiderski, CEO and owner of Family Source Consultants, has been a prominent leader in reproductive medicine for over two decades. Through her strategic vision and dedication, she has developed Family Source Consultants into a globally recognized agency specializing in comprehensive egg donation and gestational surrogacy services. Under Staci’s leadership, the agency has become a trusted partner for intended parents, surrogates, and egg donors worldwide, known for its rigorous standards, compassionate support, and commitment to excellence in third-party reproduction.

Her professional insight is uniquely informed by her own family-building experiences. As an intended parent, Staci welcomed her son via gestational surrogacy in 2005, and as a known egg donor, she assisted an infertile couple in expanding their family. These experiences lend a rare depth to her leadership and have fueled her ongoing dedication to ethical, empathetic, and professional support within the field of reproductive medicine.