title: What next for preimplantation genetic screening? A polar body approach!
abstract: Screening of human preimplantation embryos for numerical chromosome abnormalities has been conducted mostly at the preimplantation stage using fluorescence in situ hybridization. However, it is clear that preimplantation genetic screening (PGS) as it is currently practiced does not improve live birth rates. Therefore the ESHRE PGS Task Force has decided to start a proof of principle study with the aim of determining whether biopsy of the first and second polar body followed by subsequent analysis of the complete chromosome complement of these polar bodies using an array based technique enables a timely identification of the chromosomal status of an oocyte. If the principle of this approach can be proven, it is obvious that a multicentre randomized controlled trial should then be started to determine the clinical value of this technique. In this way the ESHRE PGS Task Force hopes to redirect preimplantation screening from the blind alley to the main road of assisted reproduction.
authors.affiliation: Department of Genetics and Cell Biology, Research Institute GROW, Faculty of Health, Medicine and Life Sciences, Maastricht University, PO Box 5800, 6202 AZ Maastricht, The Netherlands.
authors.forename: Joep
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Geraedts
authors.forename: John
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Collins
authors.forename: Luca
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Gianaroli
authors.forename: Veerle
authors.initials: V
authors.lastname: Goossens
authors.forename: Alan
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Handyside
authors.forename: Joyce
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Harper
authors.forename: Markus
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Montag
authors.forename: Sjoerd
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Repping
authors.forename: Andreas
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Schmutzler
mesh_terms: D000782:Aneuploidy; D001706:Biopsy; D005260:Female; D005820:Genetic Testing / Q000379:methods*; D006801:Humans; D009865:Oocytes / Q000648:ultrastructure; D010865:Pilot Projects; D011247:Pregnancy; D019836:Preimplantation Diagnosis / Q000379:methods*; D015053:Zygote / Q000648:ultrastructure*