The PGD Procedure

Preimplantation genetic diagnosis in Israel is carried out by a department of specialists in a Vitro fertilization clinic at Herzliya Medical Center. Israel is renowned for its excellence in fertility treatment, as well as genetic testing and research. The use of Preimplantation genetic diagnosis (PGD) in in vitro fertilization (IVF) has helped eliminate the possibility of genetic diseases, as well as the transfer of genetic mutations (that may later be the cause of a particular disease).

PGD at HMC

At the private clinic of HMC treatment in Israel, including all genetic research conducted is under strict international protocols. This ensures the elimination of the possibility of diagnostic errors and guarantees the unprecedented accuracy of data. The coordination of joint activities in the laboratory and the fertility clinic allows for maximized efficiency that enables excellent results following fertility treatment.

What is PGD?

Preimplantation genetic diagnosis is a genetic screening procedure for the genetic diagnosis of cells of the embryo (resulting from IVF). PGD is carried out prior to the implantation of the embryo in the uterus. This technique allows for a qualitative selection of embryos based not only on the definition of signs of their viability but also in the diagnosis of genetic mutations that underlie the development of serious diseases or their carriers of the risk of transmission to the next generation. PGD ​​in IVF is highly recommended in the following cases:

• Couples over 35 years of age, that have a high risk of transferring hereditary diseases to their children
• Family history of genetic or chromosomal disorders
• Family history of dominant diseases – Huntington’s disease, for example
• Chromosomal abnormalities in previous pregnancies
• A woman that has had an abortion due to genetic disease
• Unsuccessful IVF attempts in the past
• A woman that has had miscarriages in the past
• Couples wishing to balance the gender of their children

The use of PGD testing in Israel, not only significantly increases the likelihood of success of artificial insemination, but also guarantees the birth of a child with a normal genotype.

Genetic Diseases Determined by PGD

Specialists in IVF centers are constantly expanding the capabilities of this highly promising medical diagnosis. Today, PGD determines the risk of the embryo carrying virtually any known genetic disease. Special attention is paid to the diagnosis of the most severe syndromes caused by genetic mutations, namely:

• Adrenoleukodystrophy
• Amyotrophic lateral sclerosis
• Becker muscular dystrophy
• Beta thalassemia
• Hereditary breast cancer – identify whether there is a mutation in BRCA1/2 genes
• Congenital myopathies – weakness and lack of muscle tone
• Miotubulyarnaya myopathy
• Congenital cerebellar ataxia
• Charcot-Marie-Tooth disease
• Epiphyseal dysplasia
• Hirschsprung’s disease
• Conradi-Hunermann syndrome
• Cystic fibrosis
• Duchenne muscular dystrophy
• Congenital deficiency of factor VIII and IX hemophilia
• Hereditary spastic paraplegia
• Fragile X chromosome
• Friedrich’s ataxia
• Hereditary nonpolyposis colorectal cancer (HNPCC)
• Glycogen storage disease (GSD)
• Hemophilia
• Huntington’s Disease
• Retinitis pigmentosa
• Hereditary prostate cancer
• Sickle cell anemia (sickle cell disease)
• Tay-Sachs disease
• Von Willebrand disease

The presence of a known hereditary disease in one spouse will result in a targeted search for a genetic mutation conducted by experts in HMC’s private clinic, eliminating the chance of development of the disease in the child.

PGD in IVF/ ICSI at HMC

Preimplantation genetic diagnosis is a standard procedure during artificial insemination using modern techniques of IVF/ ICSI. Detecting viable embryos requires a microscopic procedure removing one or two cells to identify genetic mutations (that may cause genetic defects later on):

• PGD is carried out following IVF/ ICSI treatment, prior to the implantation of the embryos in efforts to eliminate non-viable embryos
• PGD is performed on the third day of embryonic development (6-8 blastomeres result), where one or two cells are removed and evaluated for genetic mutations
• The viable embryos continue development outside the mother’s body up to five days
• Healthy, viable embryos are transferred to the woman’s uterus or are cryopreserved for subsequent IVF cycles

The use of advanced technologies for cellular interventions is strictly safe for the embryo and does not affect its overall development. Due to the sensitive nature of PGD screening, experts at Herzliya Medical Center offer comprehensive support and advice to couples.