A Successful Case for Deselection of Albino Embryo and Live Birth of Albinism-Free Healthy Baby Followed by PGT-M

Abstract

In recent years, Preimplantation genetic testing for monogenic disorders (PGT-M) has gained a lot of focus in the field of assisted reproduction technology, various studies have been published in support of it and many are opposing its role. It has been criticized due to many ethical as well as scientific reasons, but there is no doubt that PGT-M has been one of the most important breakthroughs in in vitro fertilization. A critical aspect of this technology is the possibility that the biopsy itself can adversely affect the quality of embryo and compulsion of embryo freezing. Oculocutaneous albinism (OCA) is a condition which is related to skin, hair, eye color (pigments), where affected individuals typically have very fair skin and white- or light-colored hair. These patients are prone to skin cancers on prolonged sun exposure. It also reduces the pigmentation of the colored part of the eyes (the iris) and the light-sensitive tissue at the back of the eye (the retina). People with this condition usually have problem in vision such as reduced sharpness, involuntary eye movements, and photophobia. Here, we report the successful use of PGT-M and a novel protocol for the preimplantation genetic diagnosis of OCA following trophectoderm cell biopsy from blastocysts and the birth of a healthy infant to a couple having previously affected child.