By Christi Han

If you are contemplating whether to PGT-A your embryos or not, here is an article worth taking a look at. Mosaicism may be a normal part of embryo development. I am not for or against testing, but I think it’s important to research all sides and make an informed decision you can live with.

If you are contemplating whether to PGT-A your embryos or not, here is an article worth taking a look at. Mosaicism may be a normal part of embryo development. I am not for or against testing, but I think it’s important to research all sides and make an informed decision you can live with.

First, you might be wondering, what is PGT-A testing?  PGT-A is or Preimplantation Genetic Testing for Aneuploidy, is a genetic test performed on embryos during IVF treatment. It checks if the embryos have the correct number of chromosomes, which is important because having too many or too few chromosomes can lead to conditions like Down syndrome or result in miscarriage. This test helps in selecting embryos with the best chance of leading to a successful pregnancy.

The article describes a study on mixed embryos, known as mosaic embryos, which have a combination of normal and abnormal cells. These abnormal cells, called aneuploid cells, have the wrong number of chromosomes and usually die or change into a specific cell type in the embryo, making more room for the normal cells. This process might help embryos develop healthily. Simply put, aneuploid cells are unusual cells with too many or too few chromosomes, which can cause problems but might be managed by the embryo itself.

The study’s findings suggest that some abnormal cells in mixed embryos can correct themselves, potentially leading to healthy development. This could change how doctors view and treat these embryos in fertility clinics, offering hope for successful pregnancies that might have been considered risky before. It implies that nature has a way to balance things out, which could be a significant insight for fertility treatments.