Preimplantation genetic testing is currently the only way to determine if the egg or embryo contains an abnormal number of chromosomes prior to pregnancy. PGD has been used for the screening of embryos for common aneuploidies in couples undergoing IVF procedures for infertility with a history of recurrent pregnancy loss, repeated IVF failures and/or advanced maternal age (women age 35 and older).This may not only contribute to the prevention of the birth of children with common chromosomal abnormalities but also to the efficiency of IVF.

When PGD is performed for any of these indications, it has been referred to by the ESHRE Consortium as PGD-AS, or preimplantation genetic diagnosis for aneuploidy screening. It is also referred to as preimplantation genetic screening (PGS).

This is PGD for the detection of sporadic chromosomal abnormalities with the goal of increasing reproductive success (as well as prevention of the birth of affected offspring). Essentially, this use of PGD is a screening procedure to detect those aneuploidies most commonly observed after birth or in miscarriages (involving detection of chromosomes X, Y, 13, 16, 18, 21, and 22).