Why and When Are Genetic Tests Performed on Embryos During IVF Treatment?

In IVF treatment, genetic testing plays a vital role in increasing the chances of a healthy pregnancy and preventing genetic diseases. These tests are recommended for embryos under two main indications:

1. Chromosomal Screening (PGT-A):

The embryos are screened for all 46 chromosomes, including 22 pairs of autosomal chromosomes and 2 sex chromosomes (X and Y), inherited from the mother and father. This allows the detection of chromosomal abnormalities such as extra or missing chromosomes, which can lead to miscarriages or developmental disorders.

This screening is especially recommended in cases of:

• Unexplained pregnancy loss,
• Repeated IVF failures,
• Women over the age of 38.

2. Detection of Inherited Genetic Disorders (PGT-M):

If there is a known family history of genetic disorders in the parents or close relatives (such as hemophilia, thalassemia, cystic fibrosis, etc.), the embryos can be tested for these conditions. Affected or carrier embryos are excluded, and only healthy embryos are selected for transfer.

This approach not only improves pregnancy success rates but also helps ensure the birth of a healthy child.

2. Is It Possible to Learn the Gender of Embryos Through Genetic Testing?

In addition to detecting genetic diseases, genetic screening also allows a detailed analysis of the embryo’s genetic structure. As part of this process, the presence of X and Y chromosomes is automatically analyzed, which means the gender of each embryo becomes known.

Although direct gender selection is not legally permitted in Turkey, once the gender of the embryos is identified as a natural outcome of medical screening, this information can be taken into account during the embryo transfer decision.

This is particularly important in medical scenarios where certain genetic diseases are linked to a specific gender (e.g., hemophilia – seen almost exclusively in males).

For many international patients, this approach offers not only a path to a healthy pregnancy but also an opportunity to access gender information during the IVF process, in full compliance with medical and legal guidelines.