FAQ

It has been estimated that 50% of infertility cases could have a genetic factor. Fertility genetic screening is the missing puzzle piece of the infertility puzzle. Evolve genetic fertility screens can improve IVF success rates and provide valuable knowledge and insight to you and your healthcare provider regarding your fertility health.

Any female with a personal history of infertility, an elevated follicle‐stimulating hormone (FSH) level before age 40 (without a known cause), or a family history of
ovarian failure should have fertility screening.
Any male with personal history of infertility, abnormal sperm parameters on semen analysis, or a family history of male infertility should have fertility screening.

Chromosome analysis (also known as karyotyping) is a test that evaluates the number and structure of a person’s chromosomes in order to detect abnormalities.
It is included in both Male and Female fertility screen as a
key component to infertility testing since structural chromosomal abnormalities are the most common genetic cause of infertility. An infertility genetic screen in
incomplete without including a complete chromosome analysis.

There is a natural decline in ovarian function as a women ages. However, many
women have premature aging of the ovaries and this premature aging can occur in as early as a women’s early to mid‐20’s. With premature ovarian aging (POA) a
women will have a decreased fertility due to a decrease low or sub‐optimal number of eggs and poor quality of eggs. Smaller number of lower‐quality eggs reduce women’s fertility in two ways: they make it more difficult to get pregnant, and once pregnant, miscarriage are more likely to occur. Premature Ovarian Failure occurs when ovaries prematurely stop making eggs.
Normally this occurs in a women’s 40 during menopause.
Genetic abnormalities are a significant risk factor for developing POA/POF. It has been estimated that 10‐30% of POF cases are due to a genetic abnormality.

The FMR1 (Fragile X Mental Retardation 1) gene is located on the X chromosome. It is of importance to women because not only does the FMR1 premutation put
women at significant risk for premature ovarian failure and other fertility issues but are also at an increased risk of having a child with Fragile X syndrome.
Fragile X syndrome is a genetic disorder that causes intellectual disability and various physical and behavioral abnormalities. It is the most common cause of
inherited autism in children. Therefore, the FMR1 premuation puts millions of women at risk of infertility and most have never even heard of it. 1 in 150 women are estimated to be carriers of the FMR1 premutation.

Currently clinics and healthcare providers will only look at genetic factors after multiple IVF or fertility failures and many will not take genetics into consideration.
By having this information at the onset of your fertility journey you and your healthcare provider will have the information needed to make better and more
informed decisions for better outcomes.

The American Congress of Obstetricians and Gynecologists (ACOG) and the American Society for Reproductive Medicine (ASRM) both have policies and recommendations for genetic fertility screening in males and females.

Fertility Screens are most useful when offered to patients before they undergo IVF or other fertility treatments. These screens should be offered as part of the initial diagnostic evaluation of the patient in a Pre‐IVF  consultation. Fertility Screens will reveal genetic contributions to infertility that cannot be detected by a physical exam of the patient.

Your genetics does not change with age therefore genetic fertility screens can be taken at any age. However, they are recommended as pre‐conception or pre‐IVF screens for individuals of reproductive age.

A POF screen can be taken as early as a women’s early 20’s to determine if she is at risk of developing premature ovarian aging or failure. However, the screen can be taken at any age, but is of most use to women of reproductive age.

At Safembryo. All is needed is a simple blood draw from your arm and proper packaging. Contact us for further information.

Our results for fertility screening are available three‐four weeks after your sample has been received by our laboratory.

When your results are ready, we will contact you by phone and/or an email alert. Patient reports will be made available for you and your healthcare provider to review. A Geneticist will also be available to you at no extra charge to answer any of your questions and review your results

Infertility affects 1 in 6 couples worldwide and the number of couples going through IVF has increased drastically in the last 10 years. Your genetic makeup plays a significant role in your fertility and it only makes sense that a complete genetic workup should be part of the standard fertility patient evaluation.
Genetic fertility screening can improve the chances of reproductive & IVF success and help provide personalized treatment plans.

By understanding if there is a genetic component to you and/or your partner’s infertility you and your healthcare provider will have answers to questions that
previously would have gone unanswered. Fertility screen results will help enable clinicians to proactively devise appropriate management guidelines and effective treatments for patients before experiencing costly and time consuming setbacks from failed fertility  treatments.

Male Fertility Screen

Mosaic chromosomal analysis + Y chromosome deletion + Cystic Fibrosis screening for 75% mutations

Female Fertility Screen

Mosaic chromosomal analysis + FMR1 repeat analysis

Premature Ovarian Failure Screen

FMR1 Repeat Analysis

POF screen will help you and your healthcare provider if you are at risk for premature decline of your ovarian function.
POF screen includes the FMR1 (Fragile X) trinucleotide repeat analysis.

Fertility Screens for males and females assess the chromosome status of the parents and do not replace the need for a polar body biopsy which assesses the chromosome status of an embryo. Although the chromosome status of the parents may have some influence to an aneuploidy oocyte, chromosome
aneuploidy may still arise during the initial stages of the development of the 1st and 2nd polar bodies. Evolve Fertility Screens are best suited for individuals who
want to determine genetic factors that may be impacting their fertility or potentially passing on a genetic disease before IVF is performed.

Fertility Screens are designed specifically for those individuals with a personal or family history of fertility issues to assess their genetic risks for infertility.

Carrier Screening is designed for both males and
females to determine if either are carriers of genetic disorders that could impact their children. Thus, to determine genetic causes of infertility, use the Fertility Screens; when determining the risk of a genetic disorder in
children, use a Carrier Screening test. Results from either the  Fertility Screens and  Carrier Screening can
impact reproductive management options including pre‐IVF care to improve the chances of a successful pregnancy.

Yes all three Fertility Screens (Male, Female, POF) include complementary pre‐ and post‐ screen genetic counseling with a Geneticist if requested by the patient or healthcare provider.