Comprehensive Chromosome Screening (CCS)

ORM was one of the first


Using Next-Generation Sequencing.

CCS is the removal and testing of cells from embryos created through the IVF process. By determining how many chromosomes are present in these cells, we can identify the embryos that are most likely to implant in the uterus and result in a healthy ongoing pregnancy.

CCS may also provide some insight into the reason that some patients have had difficulty becoming or staying pregnant. Also known as preimplantation genetic screening (PGS), it is the most advanced form of chromosomal screening on embryos.

What does CCS test for and what will I learn about my embryos?

CCS counts the number of chromosomes in each embryo’s biopsied cells. Chromosomes are packages of genes, or DNA, within the cells. Humans normally have 46 chromosomes in each cell; 23 come from the sperm cell and 23 from the egg cell. The first 22 pairs of chromosomes are identified by number, 1 through 22, while the last pair reflects the gender of the embryo: XX for female, XY for male. A normal chromosome result for a female is 46,XX and for a male, 46,XY (for more background information on basic genetics and inheritance, see our Resources page).

How experienced is ORM in performing CCS?

Our embryologists have extensive experience with embryo biopsy, having biopsied over 12,000 embryos between 2010 and late 2016. CCS is a routine part of the IVF patient workflow at ORM, with our clinical and laboratory teams having facilitated the process on over 2000 patients to date. About 80% of our IVF patients now choose to do CCS with next-generation sequencing as part of their treatment.

What are the steps of a typical IVF cycle with CCS?
  • In Vitro Fertilization: embryos are created and grown to the blastocyst stage (day 5 or 6).
In Vitro Fertilization or ICSI
  • Trophectoderm biopsy of ~5-10 cells from the future placental cells of each embryo.
Trophectoderm Biopsy
Embryos are frozen / Analyze DNA
  • Results available within 1-2 weeks.
Normal or Abnormal Results
  • Transfer embryos to the uterus of the patient or surrogate in a subsequent frozen embryo transfer cycle.
Transfer embryos to uterus
  • Extra embryos remain frozen for future use.
What genetic testing technology is used to count the chromosomes?

ORM is proud to have been one of the first IVF clinics in the world to offer CCS using next-generation sequencing (NGS) technology through our in-house CooperGenomics NGS lab.

NGS is a technology that has revolutionized genetic testing and research in virtually all medical specialties. It is a way of sequencing (determining the order of the base pairs, or “spelling”of ) DNA that is more thorough and efficient than previous technologies. NGS can be used to sequence thousands of small pieces of DNA within an embryo’s cells in order to determine how many chromosomes are present in those cells. As NGS evolves it promises to be more efficient, less expensive, and more comprehensive than other genetic testing technologies.

Contact Oregon Reproductive Medicine for more information today.

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