Does Preimplantation Genetic Testing (PGT-A) Improve Surrogacy Success?
What is preimplantation genetic testing (PGT-A) and can it improve the chances of a healthy pregnancy? As more families turn to gestational surrogacy, it’s important to understand where PGT-A can and can’t help as understanding your options can empower you to make informed, confident decisions.
What Is PGT-A?
PGT-A stands for preimplantation genetic testing A. It's a test performed on embryos created through IVF to evaluate whether they have a normal number of chromosomes before proceeding. This test will also help identify which embryos are most likely to implant successfully and develop into a healthy pregnancy. This practice can help reduce the chances of a miscarriage related to chromosomal abnormalities.
Because nearly all gestational surrogacy journeys rely on IVF, PGT-A is often an important topic of conversation for intended parents considering surrogacy.
Surrogacy Already Offers Strong Success Rates
Gestational surrogacy in the United States already has high overall success rates with the national average sitting around 75%. Many journeys result in pregnancy and live birth once implantation occurs. However, outcomes are influenced by factors like embryo quality, the surrogate mother’s medical history, and the experience of the fertility clinic.
These baseline outcomes are important to consider when evaluating whether additional testing like PGT-A might be beneficial for you.
What Medical Research Says About PGT-A
According to the committee opinion of the American Society for Reproductive Medicine (ASRM):
- The use of PGT-A in IVF has increased steadily in recent years.
- Randomized trials show similar overall pregnancy outcomes between IVF cycles with and without PGT-A in many populations.
Observed benefits:
- Researchers observed higher implantation rates and lower miscarriage rates, particularly in older age groups.
- Some studies show increased likelihood of live birth among women over 37.
This means PGT-A may be most helpful for families facing age-related fertility challenges or repeated IVF failure. It also means that the use of PGT-A does not universally improve outcomes for everyone.
A Balanced Perspective for Intended Parents
Evidence suggests:
- Gestational surrogacy already has high success potential.
- PGT-A can reduce chromosomal related complications and improve implantation in certain groups.
- PGT-A doesn’t guarantee pregnancy and is not necessary in every IVF journey.
Having understood this, fertility specialists typically recommend that decisions about PGT-A be made individually, based on medical history, embryo availability, and family-building goals.
Guidance and Support Every Step of the Way
Here at Patriot Conceptions, we’ve seen how informed decisions lead to more comfortable journeys. We work alongside leading fertility clinics and medical professionals to help intended parents understand their options, including whether PGT-A is appropriate for their unique path to parenthood.
Every surrogacy journey is different, but with our guidance and support families can move forward with confidence.
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About this article
Surrogacy is a legal and medical-adjacent topic. This article is for informational purposes only and is not legal or medical advice.
Reviewed by Patriot Conceptions Editorial Team. Last reviewed Feb 17, 2026.
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