PGT No Result

Occasionally, a ‘no result’ is reported for an embryo biopsy that has been sent to the genetics laboratory for preimplantation genetic testing (such as PGT-A, PGT-SR or PGT-M). This is a limitation of PGT, and means the laboratory were unable to confidently report a result for an embryo biopsy sample. At No.1 Fertility, approximately 5% of results are reported as ‘no result’, this is consistent with other fertility services globally.

Yes. ‘No result’ embryos are suitable for transfer. You may consider these embryos as ‘untested’ or like a natural conception in that we do not know the chromosome complement of the embryos in any of these scenarios.

No. Embryo biopsy samples that return a ‘no result’ can be due to a variety of factors such as:

• Underlying poor embryo quality, unable to be visualized prior to embryo biopsy procedure
• Insufficient DNA in the biopsy tube
• Degraded DNA
• DNA amplification failure
• The DNA profile of the biopsy sample did not provide a clear enough analysis to confidently issue a result

Often the specific reason why an embryo is reported to be ‘no result’ is unclear or unknown.

‘No result’ embryos can be transferred, stored, or re-biopsied to attempt to obtain a PGT-A result. Currently there are no additional costs to re-biopsy and re-test and embryo. There is no refund offered for a ‘no result’ embryo as this is a known limitation of PGT-A and is documented in the Consent to Assisted Reproductive Treatment.

An embryo re-biopsy involves thawing, re-biopsying, and re-freezing the embryo. This procedure may be considered, however is not guaranteed to be suitable for every embryo. Whilst every care possible is taken with your embryos, there remains some risk associated with re-biopsy, and often a re-biopsy procedure cannot be performed. You may wish to speak with a N^o1 Embryologist about the assessment of potential risk of this procedure.

At N^o1Fertility we recommend non-invasive prenatal testing (NIPT) such as percept NIPT, during pregnancy, as this is best clinical practice. This is a screening blood test available after 10 weeks gestation. You can discuss NIPT further with the N^o1 Genetics Department or your antenatal care team.

If you have read this information and have questions, please contact the No.1 Genetics Department on 9132 9600 or email genetics@number1fertility.com to organise a time to speak to one of our Genetic Counsellors.