Preimplantation genetic diagnosis for alpha-thalassaemia in China.

PURPOSE: To report the usage of PGD for alpha-thalassaemia with the - -(SEA) genotype.

METHOD: A PGD protocol using fluorescent gap PCR was performed for 51 cycles on 43 couples with the - -(SEA) genotype. Allele drop-out and amplification failure rates were retrospectively analyzed.

RESULTS

A total of 472 embryos were biopsied. Amplification was achieved in 390 blastomeres, accounting for an amplification rate of 82.6%. In total, 120 wild-type, 94 heterozygotes and 140 homozygous mutant embryos were diagnosed. The successful diagnosis rate was 75.0%. The ADO rate in 49 blastomeres from six donated embryos was 16.4%. One hundred and fifty four embryos were transferred, resulting in 25 clinical pregnancies with an implantation rate of 24.0%.

CONCLUSIONS

Single-round fluorescent gap PCR is a feasible and effective strategy in the PGD for alpha-thalassaemia with the - -(SEA) genotype.