Definition

Pre-Implantation Genetic Diagnosis (PGD) is a medical procedure performed before the implantation of a fertilized egg during in vitro fertilization (IVF) to diagnose genetic or chromosomal abnormalities in the early stages of embryonic development.

What is PGD and How Does it Work?

PGD involves the extraction of a single cell from a developing embryo and analyzing it for any genetic or chromosomal anomalies. This process is performed 3-5 days after fertilization when the embryo has reached 8-10 cells. If the results of the test indicate the presence of any abnormalities, the affected embryos are not transferred to the uterus, allowing only healthy embryos to be implanted.