Genetic Compatibility Test

More than 300 inherited genetic diseases can be detected

The analysis is carried out by a simple blood or saliva test

The test can identify up to 2,600 chromosomal mutations

At Eugin, we are not just concerned about helping future mums to get pregnant; we are also concerned about the health of the child who is going to be born. For this reason, we offer all our patients the chance to undergo the Genetic Compatibility Test before starting their treatment.

What is a genetic compatibility test?

The Genetic Compatibility Test is a blood or saliva DNA study of the future parents, which allows us to detect whether the man or the woman are carriers of a genetic disease and can therefore pass it on to their children.

According to our experience, practically 1 in 2 patients undergoing the test at Eugin is a carrier of a hereditary genetic disease without knowing it – which means that even though they carry the disease, they will not actually develop it.

When both members of the couple are carriers of the same disease, there is a 25% chance that their child will develop it.

The Genetic Compatibility Test enables us to detect whether this situation can occur by identifying more than 300 genetic diseases with a poor prognosis in children, such as cystic fibrosis, fragile X syndrome or spinal muscular atrophy, among many others.

The test is a preventive measure that is performed before starting the fertility treatment in order to determine whether the future father or future mother are carriers of any of these diseases. Through this test, it is possible to determine and prevent the risk of the child developing any of these 300 genetic diseases.

Transmission of genetic diseases from parents to children

1. Recessive diseases

What happens when...

... the mother and father are carriers

Carrier Carrier

Non-carrier

Carrier

Carrier

Affected

25%

50%

25%

When both parents are carriers of a disease with an autosomal recessive inheritance pattern, the probability of the child having the disease (regardless of whether it is a boy or girl) is 1 in 4.

... the father is a carrier and the mother is not

Non-carrier Carrier

Non-carrier

Non-carrier

Carrier

Carrier

50%

When only one of the biological parents is a carrier, the probability of having an affected child virtually disappears. In these cases, 1 in 2 children will be carriers.

... the mother is a carrier and the father is not

Carrier Non-carrier

Non-carrier

Non-carrier

Carrier

Carrier

50%

When only one of the biological parents is a carrier, the probability of having an affected child virtually disappears. In these cases, 1 in 2 children will be carriers.

... neither the mother nor the father are carriers

Non-carrier Non-carrier

Non-carrier

Non-carrier

Non-carrier

Non-carrier

When neither the father nor the mother are carriers of diseases, there is no risk of their children inheriting diseases.

2. Diseases linked to the X chromosome

What happens when...

... the mother is a carrier and the father is not

Carrier Non-carrier

Non-carrier

Non-carrier

Carrier

Affected

25%

25%

25%

25%

Only the mother can be a carrier of diseases linked to the X chromosome. (men are either affected or non-carriers of this type of disease, but never carriers). In these cases, the probability of a child having the disease, is 1 in 4, and will always be a male.

Virtually 1 in every 2 patients who undergoes the Genetic Compatibility Test at Eugin is a carrier of a hereditary genetic disease without knowing it.

Who is it intended for?

The Genetic Compatibility Test is aimed at all patients who are going to undergo fertility treatment.

What happens with the information obtained?

The result of the test will be available three to four weeks after the blood or saliva test, which is when the doctor will share it with the patients.

In cases in which there is a risk of passing on genetic diseases to future children, the doctor will indicate to patients what their best option is in accordance with the available assisted reproduction procedures.