Can preimplantation genetic diagnosis improve success rates in recurrent aborters with translocations?

Preimplantation genetic diagnosis (PGD) for people suffering recurrent miscarriages is increasingly being performed worldwide. However, there is limited information on whether PGD can improve success rates in translocation carriers. We therefore compared pregnancy outcomes between PGD and natural pregnancy cases, reviewing the clinical research database. No improvement in the success rate at the first oocyte retrieval was evident in reciprocal translocation carriers. In the natural course of events, patients with translocations can hope for a baby in the long term. However, with PGD, rates can reach 68% after IVF failure and the duration to eventual birth may be shorter than with natural pregnancies. In the particular case of Robertsonian translocations, PGD may not be necessary because natural success rates are relatively good.