POLAR BODY BIOPSY

Polar body biopsy is a technique used in IVF to analyze the chromosomal content of a woman’s eggs (oocytes) and select those that do not show any genetic abnormalities.

In order to do this a small hole is created in the covering of the oocyte in order to extract the polar bodies. These are tiny little cells which have no importance for the further development of the oocyte but which provide us with vital genetic information.

Once the result is known, only the embryos created from genetically healthy oocytes are transferred.

Polar body biopsy is especially appropriate for women aged over 38 because as a woman ages so the number of chromosomal anomalies present in her oocytes also increases (at 35 years of age more than 40% of a woman’s oocytes show genetic abnormalities). Furthermore, such a biopsy may be necessary regardless of a woman’s age if she presents with abnormal hormone values or low oocyte production.