Genetic tests on IVF embryos could help women over the age of 35 conceive faster, a trial has found.
This could slash the risk of unsuccessful implantation and miscarriages, reducing the “emotional toll” of having to undergo repeated IVF cycles.
Preimplantation genetic testing for aneuploidy (PGT-A) checks embryos have the correct number of chromosomes before they are implanted in the womb.
Aneuploidy is a genetic condition which means cells either have missing or extra chromosomes, compared with the normal 46, leading to miscarriages, birth defects and conditions like Down’s syndrome.
Women over the age of 35 are at higher risk of aneuploidy because egg quality declines with age.
The trial involved 100 women aged between 35 and 42 undergoing fertility treatment at King’s Fertility, half of whom were given PGT-A tests.
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Researchers found that women in the group that were given the tests became pregnant in fewer tries.
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There was also a higher live birth rate after up to three embryo transfers in the PGT-A group – 72% – compared with 52% in the group not given tests.
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Dr Yusuf Beebeejaun, of King’s College London and King’s Fertility, said: “The number of women starting their family above the age of 35 is increasing and women in this age group are more likely to create embryos with the wrong number of chromosomes.
“This increases the risk of unsuccessful implantation and miscarriages.
“Our findings suggest that targeted use of PGT-A in this age group could help more women have a baby sooner, while also reducing the emotional toll of repeated unsuccessful cycles.”
Dr Sesh Sunkara, of King’s College London and King’s Fertility, added: “While larger multi-centre trials are needed to confirm these findings, improving treatment efficiency with a shorter time to achieving pregnancy and live birth could reduce the physical and emotional burden of IVF for women of advanced reproductive age.”
