Nearly 12,000 IVF operations are scheduled to be performed in 2026 in Moscow. In this regard, the head of the Genetics Laboratory, laboratory geneticist Maria Byakhova, spoke about the development of reproductive medicine in medical institutions in the capital.
Modern reproductive medicine is a collective effort of geneticists, reproductive specialists and embryologists. Specialists work not only with couples planning in vitro fertilization (IVF), but also with any family seeking to have a healthy child and understand their own genetic risks.
One of the main tools in this field is preimplantation genetic testing (PGT), which is a modern method of diagnosing embryos before they are transferred to the uterus during IVF. The main task of PGT is to identify genetic disorders at an early stage.
— PGT allows you to: increase the likelihood of pregnancy, reduce the risk of miscarriage, increase the chances of having a healthy baby, and avoid transfer of non-viable embryos. Pyakhova noted that this is especially important for couples suffering from infertility, genetic diseases or an unfavorable birth history.
The essential step before IVF is medical and genetic counseling, which helps determine the need for IVF or the possibility of natural pregnancy, determine the causes of infertility, assess the risks to the fetus and determine whether a PGT test is required. It is also important to perform genetic tests of the parents, including karyotyping, as well as confirm the transmission of genetic diseases. Ratios are also compiled to assess the risk of disease transmission.
There are several types of PGT: PGT-A to identify chromosomal disorders (eg, Down syndrome), PGT-SR to diagnose structural rearrangements of chromosomes, and PGT-M to identify specific monogenic diseases (eg, cystic fibrosis). However, it is impossible to check everything at once.
— The procedure is performed on days 5-6 of fetal development: several cells are taken from the outer layer, which then forms the placenta. This is safe for the fetus and does not affect its growth. Next, complex laboratory analysis is performed, including DNA sequencing. On average, it takes about 2-3 weeks. Based on the results, a genetic outcome is formed,” explains Byakhova.
However, PGT does not provide a 100% guarantee that a completely healthy baby will be born. Therefore, even after successful IVF with PGT, standard prenatal examinations are required – ultrasound, biochemical tests and medical supervision.
The decision to transfer the embryo is made jointly by specialists, but the final word always remains with the patient. In some cases, such as mosaic embryos, the decision is made individually after a detailed discussion of the risks. If all embryos in the cycle have genetic disorders, alternatives are possible – repeating the IVF cycle with accumulation of embryos.
Modern reproductive technologies, including artificial insemination and preimplantation genetic screening, are becoming increasingly available and can significantly reduce the risk of genetic diseases. Thanks to assisted reproductive technologies and genetic technologies, future parents today have many opportunities for informed and safe motherhood.
The availability of IVF under compulsory medical insurance in Moscow has doubled in six years. During the past year, more than 10,000 artificial insemination operations were performed for free.