How long does embryo genetic testing take, and what can delay results?

Going through IVF demands a lot of money, patience, and time, and embryo genetic testing is one of the steps that can stretch out your timeline. Although optional, embryo genetic testing is done to identify your healthiest embryos, increase your chances of a successful transfer, and help reduce the risk of your baby having genetic conditions.

But when you’re in the thick of IVF, every day counts. That’s why many people are eager to know how long it takes to get their embryo genetic test results, so they can plan ahead and feel more in control during this process.

In this article, we’ll answer the question many people have during IVF: how long does embryo genetic testing take? We’ll explain the typical timelines, why some results come back faster than others, and what factors can cause delays. You’ll also learn what happens after you get your results, so you can prepare and move forward with confidence.

What is embryo genetic testing, and why is it done?

Source: Jonathan Borba

Embryo genetic testing is an optional step in the IVF process where your embryos are screened for genetic conditions before implantation. It’s done to ensure the healthiest embryo is selected, giving you the best possible chance of a successful pregnancy and a healthy baby.

There are four main types of genetic tests used in IVF, and each one looks for something different. The tests include:

1. PGT-A

2. PGT-M

3. PGT-SR

The table below explains in detail what each test entails and why it is done:

Your fertility doctor will usually help guide which (if any) of these tests you should opt for, based on your medical and family history, or any known conditions that could affect your future child. This would help you move forward with more clarity and confidence.

When in the IVF process does embryo testing happen?

No matter which type of embryo genetic test you go with, the procedure tends to follow the same pattern and has two stages:

1. Embryo biopsy: After your eggs are retrieved and fertilized, the embryos are grown in a lab. On days 5–7, they reach the blastocyst stage, which is when a few cells can safely be biopsied for genetic analysis.

2. Lab analysis: Once the biopsy is complete, those cells are sent to a genetics lab where they’re screened for chromosome abnormalities, inherited diseases, or structural rearrangements, depending on which test you opted for.

Many people wonder whether embryo biopsy could harm the embryo, which is a valid concern. But rest assured: embryo biopsy is often considered a low-risk procedure. Clinics often use highly specialized methods to minimize the risk to embryos’ development.

Bonus: If you’d like to learn more about embryo testing and IVF, check out these articles:

• IVF genetic testing

• The pros and cons of IVF genetic testing

• Can IVF prevent genetic disorders?

• How accurate is PGT-A testing for sex?

How long does embryo testing take?

Source: Artem Podrez

The turnaround time for embryo testing depends on the specific type of preimplantation genetic test (PGT) you do. Some results come back quickly, while others take more time, especially if they require custom prep work before the lab can analyze your embryos.

Here’s a quick look at how long each test usually takes:

PGT-A is generally faster because it follows a standard process to check for aneuploidies (too many or too few chromosomes). It doesn’t require a custom setup, so labs can often process results more quickly.

PGT-M and PGT-SR, on the other hand, take more time because they’re personalized. PGT-M requires a custom probe based on your family’s genetic profile, which often means extra prep time and sometimes even additional testing for you, your partner, or close relatives. PGT-SR also involves detailed mapping of your chromosomes, which takes time as well.

PGT-P is more or less in the middle. It doesn’t require the complex customization of PGT-M, but still analyzes thousands of genetic markers to calculate the polygenic risk scores for a host of diseases, so it’s not as quick as PGT-A. Depending on the lab’s capacity and the technology used, you can expect a turnaround time of ~2 weeks.

Factors that can delay embryo genetic testing results

While labs generally try to stick to their estimated timelines, there are a few reasons why delays in PGT turnaround times can occur. Here are some common causes for delays in embryo genetic testing results:

1. Lab processing times

2. Inconclusive results 

3. Rare genetic conditions 

We will explore these causes in more detail in the following sections.

1. Lab processing times

Lab processing times can vary by provider. Some labs have quicker turnaround times, while others might need more time due to their internal procedures or workload.

[Reddit](https://www.reddit.com/r/IVF/comments/1ahn5ou/comment/kop0hbg/?utm_source=share&utm_medium=mweb3x&utm_name=mweb3xcss&utm_term=1&utm_content=share_button)(245)

Another factor that can delay the release of your results is timing. During busy periods, such as the holiday season, many labs have policies that delay the release of results until after the season is over.

So, if you’re undergoing testing around major holidays like Thanksgiving or Christmas, your results will likely be delayed until after the season.

[Reddit](https://www.reddit.com/r/IVF/comments/zkby8z/comment/izzleol/?utm_source=share&utm_medium=mweb3x&utm_name=mweb3xcss&utm_term=1&utm_content=share_button)(245)

2. Inconclusive results 

Sometimes, the initial test doesn’t give the lab enough information to make a clear call. This can happen when there aren’t enough cells or the DNA quality isn’t high enough. In such cases, the lab may need to retest the embryo sample to get a more accurate result.

Of course, retesting takes time. It means starting the analysis over, which can add days (or even weeks) to your timeline, depending on how quickly the lab can process it. 

[Reddit](https://www.reddit.com/r/IVF/comments/1gqgfzb/comment/lwxqzgf/?utm_source=share&utm_medium=mweb3x&utm_name=mweb3xcss&utm_term=1&utm_content=share_button)(280)

[CTA]({
  "title":"Get 10% off your whole-genome kit",
  "cta":{
    "label":"Order your kit",
    "href":"https://www.mynucleus.com/product?promocode=welcome10"
  }
})

3. Rare genetic conditions

If you or your partner (or donor) are carriers for a rare inherited condition, the lab may need to build a custom probe to detect that specific mutation in your embryos. That development process can take weeks (or even months), especially if the condition isn’t commonly screened for.

One couple shared that it took about four months for their probe to be completed, simply because the condition they were testing for was so rare. Until that custom tool was ready, they couldn’t move forward with testing, which, as you can imagine, added a significant delay to their IVF timeline.

[Reddit](https://www.reddit.com/r/IVF/comments/1ifbak8/comment/maevc4i/?utm_source=share&utm_medium=mweb3x&utm_name=mweb3xcss&utm_term=1&utm_content=share_button)(1385)

What happens after you get your embryo genetic testing results?

Source: RDNE Stock Project

Once your results are in, there’s usually a wave of feelings: relief, anxiety, hope, and possibly disappointment. It’s a big moment, and what comes next for you depends on what the results reveal.

Here’s what can typically happen after you receive your results:

• Reviewing the results with your doctor: Your care team will walk you through the findings, explaining which embryos are viable for transfer and which aren’t. If the number of viable embryos is lower than expected, or if none are viable, this can be difficult news to process — it’s okay to take your time here to decide your next steps. Your doctor may help you explore options like doing another cycle or considering alternatives. 

• Consider exploring deeper insights: If you do have viable embryos, you might want to go beyond basic testing. While PGT-A and similar screenings check for chromosomal abnormalities or known genetic disorders, they don’t cover everything. Tools like Nucleus Embryo offer optional, post-PGT analysis, like risk for common conditions such as Type 2 diabetes, breast cancer, prostate cancer, heart disease, Alzheimer’s disease, and more. If you’re deciding between multiple embryos, this kind of extra insight can help you make a more confident and informed choice.

• Prepare for your embryo transfer: Once you decide which embryo(s) to move forward with, your clinic will schedule the transfer. Since embryos are frozen after biopsy, this usually involves a frozen embryo transfer cycle. That means prepping your body with hormones, coordinating timing, thawing the embryos, and then doing the actual transfer procedure.

Whatever your next step may be, remember that this stage is about gathering the information you need to move forward with clarity. Take your time, ask your questions, and lean on your care team throughout the process.

Get deeper insights after PGT with Nucleus Embryo

Once you’ve gone through genetic testing like PGT-A or PGT-P, the next big decision is figuring out which embryo to transfer. That’s where advanced embryo optimization software offered by Nucleus Embryo can provide more clarity.

Nucleus Embryo doesn’t replace your clinic’s testing. Instead, it’s a genetic optimization tool that builds on your PGT-P results to give you a broader, clearer view of each embryo. Nucleus Embryo helps you better understand your embryos beyond basic viability.

With Nucleus, you can evaluate your embryos for an expanded selection of traits and conditions that can influence your decision. You can get insights on rare hereditary disorders like cystic fibrosis and hemochromatosis, as well as common diseases like type 2 diabetes or heart conditions. Other granular reports you might use for embryo selection include:

• Appearance and traits: Eye color, height, hair color, male-pattern baldness, severe acne

• Body and physical health: BMI, chronic pain, left-handedness, osteoarthritis, rheumatoid arthritis

• Nutrition and metabolic conditions: Alcohol dependence, celiac disease, type 2 diabetes

• Neurological and mental health: ADHD, Alzheimer’s, anxiety, bipolar disorder, depression, insomnia, migraine, multiple sclerosis, OCD, Parkinson’s disease, schizophrenia

With Nucleus Embryo, you’re not left guessing or waiting on clinical experts for the interpretation of results. You can compare and sort the embryos on a centralized, intuitive dashboard that you can interact with. So, you have more agency over the range of choices you can weigh in and make.

Getting started with Nucleus Embryo

To get started with Nucleus Embryo, you first have to complete PGT-P through your IVF clinic. That genetic data is what Nucleus will build on to give you deeper insights.

Once you’ve got your results, here’s how to get started:

1. Ask your clinic for PGT-P testing with LifeView by Genomic Prediction

2. Sign up for Nucleus Embryo during or after you complete your IVF cycle

3. Request your embryos’ PGT-P DNA data from your clinic

4. Upload the data to Nucleus Embryo and analyze the embryo analysis report

Whether you’re choosing which embryo to transfer now or planning for the future, Nucleus Embryo can help you make a choice that feels informed, grounded, and right for you.

You may also like…

Featured image source: Kaboompics