The conception of new life is a miraculous and significant process. However, for many couples facing fertility challenges, seeking an effective solution becomes an urgent need. In vitro fertilization (IVF) technology in the United States stands as one of the remarkable achievements of modern medicine, bringing new hope to these couples. Within this technology, the pivotal stage of embryo selection, NGS (Next-Generation Sequencing) testing, provides robust assurance.

Is the pass rate of embryo selection high through NGS gene sequencing technology in the United States?

The third-generation IVF technology in the United States employs advanced NGS gene sequencing, an upgraded version of the PGS (Preimplantation Genetic Screening) technology. Through high-throughput sequencing and software-driven automated analysis, it can detect chromosomal aneuploidy, covering the 23 pairs of human chromosomes, exhibiting extremely high specificity and sensitivity, and can avoid more genetic diseases. Because NGS gene sequencing technology requires a certain amount of time (usually 7-14 days) to yield results, the prerequisite for choosing this technology involves embryo preservation, employing the fertility preservation technology in the United States, awaiting the results of NGS testing before embryo implantation.

Compared to traditional PGS technology, NGS gene sequencing technology offers higher coverage and more accurate results, aiding doctors in better assessing a patient’s fertility and devising more effective strategies. Through NGS testing, the pass rate of embryos is higher. If both the male and female chromosomes are entirely normal, the pass rate could potentially reach 90%. However, if there are chromosomal abnormalities or other genetic issues, the likelihood of passing the NGS test will significantly decrease. Thus, the pass rates for prospective parents undergoing IVF with NGS screening differ, contingent on the quality of the embryos formed. Generally, the better the quality, the greater the chances of passing.

The developmental history of NGS gene sequencing technology:

1、FISH Technology

FISH, known as Fluorescence In Situ Hybridization technology, was the first genetic analysis technique used for PGS. It is a non-radioactive in situ hybridization technique that has occupied a significant position in genetic experiments. Its core lies in using the principle of base complementary pairing to accurately pair a probe carrying a fluorescent substance with the target DNA. While this technique was pivotal, it had limitations. It could only detect a limited number of chromosomes and was prone to decreased spatial resolution, affecting the precision of results.

2、ACGH Technology

ACGH combines Comparative Genomic Hybridization and Fluorescence In Situ Hybridization to detect copy number variations in DNA sequences and locate them on chromosomes. It boasts high detection accuracy, yet it’s unable to detect uniparental disomy, leading to potential chromosomal risks despite seemingly accurate results.

3、NGS Technology

NGS, Next-Generation Sequencing, is a high-throughput sequencing technology based on DNA or RNA, reading sequence information during DNA amplification by signals emitted upon base insertion. It offers numerous advantages such as multi-sample testing, improved detection efficiency, higher accuracy in identifying chromosomal abnormalities, and reduced human error due to high automation.

The emergence of NGS technology significantly enhances the understanding of the human genome, aiding medical research, diagnosis, and offering new perspectives and methods for disease prevention and assisted reproduction.

Currently, NGS technology’s usage in IVF in the United States is widespread, while only a few cutting-edge hospitals in other countries adopt it, with some nations yet to introduce this technology.

In addition to NGS testing, U.S. reproductive centers also employ PGD (Preimplantation Genetic Diagnosis) technology to conduct gene testing on specific segments of a chromosome, thereby eliminating embryos carrying pathogenic genes and selecting relatively high-quality embryos for implantation.