Genetic testing has become a standard part of the IVF process, and many fertility clinics routinely send embryo samples for analysis. One of names in this field is Igenomix — a company offering a wide range of genetic testing services designed to help doctors and patients make more informed decisions during fertility treatment.
But how useful are these tests, and how much clarity do they offer in choosing the right embryo?
This review examines Igenomix genetic testing options, costs, and turnaround times in detail. We’ll also discuss the depth of insight provided and whether it’s enough to make crucial decisions about your IVF cycle.
About Igenomix
Founded in 2011, Igenomix is a specialized medical‑testing laboratory focused on reproductive genetics. The company works in partnership with IVF clinics and fertility specialists worldwide.
It employs more than 600 professionals, operates 20 laboratories on four continents, and backs its success with 500‑plus peer‑reviewed publications and four active patents.
In 2021, Igenomix was acquired by the Swedish IVF‑device manufacturer Vitrolife, creating the Vitrolife Group. The two companies' combined portfolios now span the entire fertility journey.
Igenomix positions itself as a science‑driven “reference company” in reproductive genetics. Its internal R&D teams collaborate with universities and research institutes to refine existing tests and explore new applications, including non‑invasive embryo screening.
Igenomix genetic tests aim to:
Improve embryo selection
Detect inherited conditions
Increase implantation success
Enhance the chances of a healthy pregnancy
Source: Igenomix
Igenomix genetic testing: 5 key aspects to consider
To clarify what Igenomix can actually do for you and what to expect from them, we’ll examine the following:
What genetic testing services does Igenomix offer?
What do Igenomix results show?
How long does Igenomix testing take?
How much does Igenomix PGT cost?
What do Igenomix customer reviews say?
1. What genetic testing services does Igenomix offer?
Igenomix conducts various genetic tests at every stage of the fertility treatment. You typically don’t “shop” for these tests yourself. They will be ordered by your fertility clinic as part of standard IVF protocol.
Igenomix tests are divided into four main categories:
Neonatal genetic testing
Each category includes targeted tests aiming to identify potential issues and improve treatment outcomes. Here’s an overview:
Stage | Genetic test | Purpose |
Preconception | Carrier genetic test (CGT) | Screens both partners for genetic conditions that could be passed to children |
Sperm aneuploidy test (SAT) | Detects chromosomal abnormalities in sperm | |
Preimplantation | Embrace | Non-invasive test to help choose embryos for transfer |
Screens embryos for chromosomal abnormalities | ||
PGT-A Plus | Combines multiple screens to detect haploidy and triploidy for enhanced embryo selection | |
Screens embryos for single-gene disorders (e.g., cystic fibrosis, hemophilia, and muscular dystrophy) | ||
ERA | Evaluates whether the uterus is receptive to embryo implantation | |
EMMA | Assesses the microbiome environment of the endometrium | |
ALICE | Detects bacteria linked to chronic endometritis | |
EndomeTRIO | Combines ERA, EMMA, and ALICE for a full endometrial assessment | |
Prenatal | NACE | Non-invasive screening for common chromosomal conditions during pregnancy to help avoid unnecessary amniocentesis |
Products of conception (POC) | Analyzes miscarriage tissue to identify genetic causes | |
Chromosomal microarray (CMA) | Detects small deletions or duplications in chromosomes | |
Whole Exome Sequencing (WES) | Examines the entire gene coding for disease-causing mutations | |
Gene panels | Screens for mutations across multiple related genes | |
Neonatal | Newborn screening | Screens newborns for 104 genetic conditions using next-gen sequencing |
Bonus reads: If you’re comparing types of embryo screening, you may also be interested in these guides:
2. What do Igenomix results show?
One of the most common pain points for IVF patients isn’t the testing itself, but understanding the results.
Igenomix test results are designed for clinicians, not patients. Normally, your clinic will provide post-test counseling or walk you through the results. Still, sometimes you may need or want to decode dense genetics terminology on your own:
One point of confusion is MitoScore, the Igenomix embryo grading metric for PGT‑A. MitoScore measures the amount of mitochondrial DNA (mtDNA) in an embryo, which may help predict which embryos are more likely to implant successfully.
Igenomix researchers found that embryos with higher levels of mitochondrial DNA may be under energetic stress, meaning they’re less likely to implant and develop into a healthy pregnancy.
Lower MitoScore suggests better energy balance and higher implantation potential in euploid (chromosomally normal) embryos.
Here are some examples of Igenomix embryo grading results as well as how they correlate with pregnancy and live birth rates, based on a 2018 study of 914 single euploid embryo transfers:
Grade category | Igenomix embryo grading examples | Pregnancy rate | Live birth rate |
Excellent | 3AA, 4AA, 5AA, 6AA | 65% | 50% |
Good | 3AB, 4AB, 5AB, 6AB, 4BA, 5BA, 6BA | 59.3% | 49.7% |
Average | 3BB, 4BB, 5BB, 6BB | 50.3% | 42.3% |
Poor | 4BC, 5BC, 6BC, 4CB, 5CB, 6CB | 33.3% | 25% |
💡Pro tip
Not all tests deliver simple or actionable results. Sometimes, the result might only suggest a “better chance”, and many reports also require interpretation in the context of your clinical picture.
PGT-P is the latest addition to preimplantation genetic testing that goes beyond traditional screening and evaluates your embryos’ genetic risks for common complex diseases influenced by multiple genes, such as:
Heart disease
Diabetes
Certain cancers
ADHD
Depression
This information adds important context when deciding between multiple healthy embryos.
LifeView by Genomic Prediction is a leading PGT-P test that provides a detailed analysis of your embryos’ polygenic risk, or, in simpler terms, your risks of chronic and late-onset diseases. Ask your fertility clinic about PGT-P testing at the beginning of your IVF journey. This screening is done along with other recommended preimplantation genetic testing, so there is no need for additional biopsy.
Once you have LifeView’s results, you can upload the data to Nucleus Embryo — a genetic optimization software that translates raw genetic data into a visual, side-by-side view of your embryos, with insights that are easy to understand.
You won’t need to decode grading systems or look up definitions. Instead, you’ll see:
Which embryos carry an increased genetic risk for certain diseases
Which embryos are more likely to inherit specific traits
How embryos compare on key health and wellness indicators that matter to you
Nucleus doesn’t replace clinical testing but goes beyond what basic reports typically show. It turns raw DNA data into an interactive decision-making tool for parents.
3. How long does Igenomix testing take?
Each genetic test has a different processing timeline. Below is a summary of the estimated Igenomix turnaround time for some of the key tests:
Type of test | Estimated turnaround time |
PGT-A | 7 working days |
PGT-A plus | Up to 21 working days |
PGT-M | 10 working days |
PGT-SR | 7 working days |
PGT-SR plus | Up to 21 working days |
ERA | Within 15 days |
EMMA | Within 15 days |
ALICE | Within 15 days |
SAT | Up to 10 working days |
POC | Up to 12 working days |
CGT | 20–23 working days |
NACE | 3 working days |
EMBRACE | Up to 7 working days |
Infertility panel test | About 30 calendar days |
CMA | Up to 20 working days |
Igenomix tells you how soon you can expect results, but actual experiences vary. Some patients report receiving results sooner than expected. For example, one person on Reddit shared:
Results aren't always sent directly to you. Typically, your clinic receives them and schedules an appointment to review them with you. If you’re eager to see your report sooner, some patients have had success contacting Igenomix directly:
Bonus reads: Explore more guides to genetic testing turnaround times:
4. How much does Igenomix PGT cost?
IVF is expensive, and genetic testing is a significant part of the total price. The cost of Igenomix genetic testing varies depending on the type of test. Based on patient reports and typical clinic pricing, here’s what you can expect to pay for PGT-A, which is the most common test:
Embryo biopsy fees: The clinic charges around $600 per embryo for up to four embryos to up to $2,200 for up to eight embryos, for extracting cells from embryos.
Shipping costs: Sending biopsy samples to Igenomix is about $300.
Testing fees: Some patients pay $170 per embryo, others $250 per embryo, and one patient says the cost is $1000 for up to 4 embryos, and $1,600 for up to 8 embryos tested.
Many insurance plans cover genetic testing, but coverage varies by provider and plan. Igenomix currently accepts the following plans:
Blue Cross Blue Shield Massachusetts
Kaiser Permanente
Triwest Healthcare Alliance
WIN Fertility (Premier Plan Only)
Mass General Brigham
Northwell Direct
Progyny
Optum VA
Harvard Pilgrim Health Care
Tufts Health Plan
The EMMA and ALICE tests are not included in any plan, but additional financing options are available through providers like Lending Club, CAPEXMD, Future Family, Ally Lending, and PatientFi.
Get a full price breakdown from your clinic to confirm what information will be provided in your report. Higher prices don’t always mean more insight. Some clinics may limit the information you receive, such as masking mosaicism or not including MitoScore or ploidy “plus” options.
5. What do Igenomix customer reviews say?
Customer experiences with Igenomix are mixed. Many people report smooth testing experiences and helpful genetic counselors, while others are less pleased with communication and customer service.
Several patients say that Igenomix delivers results within a reasonable time and praise the professionalism of the lab staff. When contacted directly, genetic counselors are described as kind, knowledgeable, and responsive.
The most common frustration involves Igenomix’s customer service. Multiple users describe the main support line as difficult or nearly impossible to reach.
Some patients also report delays caused by minor administrative issues (like a digit missing from a date of birth), with little proactive communication from the lab. In more than one case, patients had to intervene or ask their clinic to follow up to move things along.
Another recurring issue is that Igenomix requires explicit patient consent to release results, and if that paperwork is missing or incomplete, the process stalls. Clinics don’t always send that consent form promptly, leaving patients in the dark unless they follow up.
Bonus read: You may benefit from more insights into the advantages and drawbacks of:
The verdict: Where Igenomix excels and what remains unclear
Igenomix is widely recognized as a leader in reproductive genetics, with a long-standing reputation and global reach. If your goal is to screen embryos for clear abnormalities or known genetic mutations, Igenomix delivers dependable, clinically validated results.
Here’s a breakdown of where Igenomix excels and where uncertainty remains:
Where Igenomix excels | What remains unclear |
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As helpful as Igenomix tests are, they offer little guidance beyond chromosomal status and morphology.
Your clinic can’t tell you more because that’s where the limits of traditional embryo screening start to show. The good news is that you can get more clarity with services like Nucleus Embryo.
Nucleus Embryo: A new lens to guide embryo decisions
For many people going through IVF, embryo screening ends with a simple label: “normal” or “abnormal.” But when you have two or more healthy embryos to choose from, that binary answer may not be enough.
Nucleus Embryo is the first genetic optimization software designed for prospective parents. It uses the DNA your clinic has already collected to analyze each embryo’s full genetic profile, offering a deeper look at future health risks.
Nucleus uses PGT-P embryo testing data from clinics to analyze potential embryo health for complex, late-onset conditions like type 2 diabetes, coronary artery disease, ADHD, and depression. Nucleus Embryo is designed with care, clarity, and scientific rigor. All insights are based on validated, peer-reviewed research and delivered in understandable terms.
You can compare embryos side by side in a parent-friendly dashboard, which features clear, intuitive tools to help you sort and decide.
Plus, for even deeper, multigenerational insights, there’s an optional add-on to include your own DNA.
How to get started with Nucleus Embryo
Nucleus Embryo fits seamlessly into your IVF timeline. Whether you're currently in a cycle or have already completed one, here’s how it works:
Ask your clinic for PGT-P testing with LifeView by Genomic Prediction
Sign up for Nucleus Embryo during or after you complete your IVF cycle
Request your embryos’ PGT-P DNA data from your clinic
Upload the data to Nucleus Embryo and analyze the embryo analysis report
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Featured image source: Sarah Chai
