Is PGT-A Required for Surrogacy?

Short answer: No. PGT-A is not universally required for a gestational-surrogacy journey. Some fertility clinics recommend it in particular situations, while others may proceed with untested embryos. The decision should be made with your reproductive endocrinologist based on the clinical circumstances.

What is PGT-A?

PGT-A stands for preimplantation genetic testing for aneuploidy. It is performed on embryos created through IVF and is intended to provide information about whether an embryo appears to have the expected number of chromosomes.

PGT-A is a screening test, not a guarantee that an embryo will implant, produce an ongoing pregnancy or result in a healthy baby.

What does ASRM say?

In its 2024 committee opinion, the American Society for Reproductive Medicine states that the value of PGT-A as a routine screening test for all IVF patients has not been demonstrated and that routine use in all patients cannot be recommended. Read ASRM’s 2024 PGT-A guidance.

In guidance specific to gestational carriers, ASRM notes that embryo-selection techniques such as PGT-A may be considered in some circumstances. It does not state that every gestational-carrier cycle requires PGT-A. See ASRM’s gestational-carrier recommendations.

Why might a clinic recommend PGT-A?

A fertility specialist may discuss PGT-A based on factors such as the age of the egg provider, prior IVF history, the number of embryos available and the clinical goals of treatment. The potential benefits and limitations depend on the individual case.

Can an untested embryo be transferred to a surrogate?

Potentially, yes. Whether a clinic will transfer an untested embryo depends on its medical policies and the circumstances of the case. The surrogate still must be medically cleared, and the embryo-transfer plan must meet the clinic’s standards.

Does PGT-A eliminate miscarriage risk?

No. ASRM’s 2024 review states that the value of PGT-A in lowering the risk of clinical miscarriage remains unclear. Pregnancy loss can occur for many reasons, and a PGT-A result does not remove all pregnancy risks.

Does a tested embryo mean you should transfer more than one?

No. In gestational-carrier cycles, ASRM strongly recommends single-embryo transfer because multiple gestation increases risk to the carrier and babies. A previous failed transfer is not, by itself, a reason to assume that transferring multiple embryos is safer or better.

Related answer: What Happens If the First Embryo Transfer Fails in Surrogacy?

Questions to ask your fertility clinic

• Why are you recommending—or not recommending—PGT-A in our case?
• How could the result change our embryo-selection strategy?
• What are the limitations of the test?
• How many embryos do we have available for biopsy or transfer?
• Would you transfer an untested embryo to our gestational carrier?

Key takeaway

PGT-A is not a blanket requirement for surrogacy. It is a clinical decision that should be individualized. Intended parents should understand both what PGT-A can tell them and what it cannot before deciding whether to use it.

This article is educational and does not replace advice from your fertility specialist.