Comparative Genomic Hybridization

In order to improve the pregnancy and miscarriage rates of patients, especially those over 38 years old, DNA testing of embryos before implantation is available. This testing is called CGH (Comparative Genomic Hybridization) and can reveal whether an embryo has the correct number of chromosomes.

Too few or too many chromosomes (referred to as “aneuploidy”) is the most common cause of IVF (In Vitro fertilization) failure. Embryo evaluation using microscopic criteria can not detect aneuploidy.

Realize the significance of CGH when one considers that 70% of embryos of women over 38 years old are chromosomally abnormal. With the emphasis on decreasing multiple births these genetic studies help physicians select the best embryos to transfer.

In April 2010 Dr. Munne Santiago, a colleague of Dr. Annos in NJ, reported the first clinical results of pre implantation genetic diagnosis using array CGH. This technique allowed genetic results for ALL chromosomes in 24 hours.

The array CGH (a CGH) was performed on day 3 embryos, therefore allowing embryo transfer by day 5 of the same cycle. The average age was 37 years old and 30/46 patients became pregnant. These pregnancies were the first reported in the United States after aCGH of cleavage stage (day 3) embryos.