Scientists Propose a New Way to Reduce Risks in IVF

Scientists from Siberia have developed a method that makes it possible to detect mutations responsible for the formation of defective germ cells already at the embryonic stage of development. The new approach could improve the safety and effectiveness of in vitro fertilization (IVF).

Using this testing method, it becomes possible to select the most promising embryos for transfer and to identify hidden genetic abnormalities in couples who are unable to conceive. In the long term, the research may help reduce the number of reproductive problems in future generations.

According to Scientific Russia, existing methods of preimplantation genetic testing (PGT) used during IVF mainly focus on detecting aneuploidies—chromosomal abnormalities in which the number of chromosomes in a cell is altered. A healthy human has 46 chromosomes: 23 inherited from each parent, arranged in pairs.

In cases of aneuploidy, some genes may be lost or duplicated, leading to developmental disorders, health problems, and genetic diseases. Such abnormalities primarily arise during the division of germ cells, and their frequency increases with maternal age.

However, other chromosomal abnormalities also exist, including balanced translocations. In these cases, a break occurs in DNA that is repaired incorrectly, causing fragments