Live Birth with or without Preimplantation Genetic Testing for Aneuploidy

Initial embryo transfer if followed by Embryo selection with preimplantation genetic testing for aneuploidy (PGT-A) may see pregnancy outcomes. However, how much PGT-A improves the cumulative live-birth rate than conventional in vitro fertilization (IVF) is unclear. 

In a recent study, the investigators thus allocated subfertile women (aged 20 to 37 years) with three or more good-quality blastocysts to experience either PGT-A or conventional IVF.  

Three blastocysts were selected either by next-generation sequencing in the PGT-A group or by morphologic criteria in the conventional-IVF group followed by successive transfers one following another. The cumulative live birth rate after up to three embryo-transfer procedures within 1 year was assessed. 

PGT-A's cumulative live-birth rate

• 1212 patients were included in the study, with 606 falling into each trial group. 
• 77.2% of women in the PGT-A group and 81.8% in the conventional-IVF group experienced Live births. 
• The cumulative frequency of clinical pregnancy loss was 8.7% and 12.6%, in the PGT-A group and the conventional-IVF group respectively.
• The 2 groups showed similar incidences of obstetrical or neonatal complications and other adverse events. 

Thus among women with >/=3 good-quality blastocysts, conventional IVF caused a cumulative live-birth rate non-inferior to that with PGT-A. 

Yan J, Qin Y, Zhao H. et al. Live Birth with or without Preimplantation Genetic Testing for Aneuploidy. N Engl J Med 2021;385:2047-58. DOI: 10.1056/NEJMoa2103613