Objective: To investigate the applicability of next-generation sequencing (NGS) to preimplantation genetic diagnosis (PGD); to evaluate semiconductor-based NGS for genetic analysis of human embryos.
Design: Blinded.
Setting: Academic center for reproductive medicine.
Patient(s): Six couples at risk of transmitting single-gene disorders to their offspring.
Intervention(s): None.
Main outcome measure(s): Embryonic genotype consistency of NGS with two independent conventional methods of PGD.
Result(s): NGS provided 100% equivalent PGD diagnoses of compound point mutations and small deletions and insertions compared with both reference laboratory- and internally developed quantitative polymerase chain reaction (qPCR)-based analyses. Furthermore, NGS single-gene disorder screening could be performed in parallel with qPCR-based comprehensive chromosome screening.
Conclusion(s): NGS can provide blastocyst PGD results with a high level of consistency with established methodologies. This study and its design could serve as a model for further development of this important and emerging technology.
Copyright © 2013 American Society for Reproductive Medicine. Published by Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.