DNAide Genetic Counselling

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DNAide Genetic Counselling

Private genetic counseling for fertility patients. Expertise in PGT-A & genetic causes of infertility

11/27/2025

Case report: prenatal diagnosis of UPD 14 after mosaic embryo transfer

We don't hear about adverse outcomes from mosaic embryo transfer very often, but it is important that they are published when they occur. This helps us learn more and provide accurate genetic counseling to people who are considering a mosaic embryo for transfer. There is always a chance for a pregnancy that results from a mosaic embryo to have a genetic syndrome associated with the mosaic PGT-A result, regardless of the chromosome. This is the first reported case of UPD14, but UPD15 has been reported previously.

DNAide was not involved in this case, but we routinely provide counseling about UPD to our patients when there is a chromosome that can be impacted by UPD.

Let us know what questions you have

Minick J, Lende M (November 21, 2025) Prenatal Diagnosis of Paternal Uniparental Isodisomy 14 Arising From the Transfer of a Mosaic Monosomy 14 Embryo. Cureus 17(11): e97452. DOI 10.7759/cureus.97452

Image descriptions are in the comments.

11/24/2025

ZP3 and Genuine Empty Follicle Syndrome

Empty Follicle Syndrome (EFS) occurs when you do IVF but the follicles are empty with no eggs in side of them. Usually EFS happens when there are errors with trigger medication but when this isn't the cause, it can sometimes be referred to as 'Genuine' EFS. There can be many different causes but sometimes it can be genetic.

The ZP3 gene plays a role in the formation of the zona pellucida, the shell that protects the egg. People with a harmful change in this gene have abnormalities in the zona pellucida and may experience Genuine EFS because the egg is not protected, so it degenerates within the follicle. Others may have oocyte death observed after egg retrieval, or fertilization failure.

Interested in exploring genetic causes for your infertility? The waitlist for DNAide's Advanced Genetic Testing Program is open! The link is in our bio.

Video description: Meaghan, a woman with curly brown hair speaks to the camera. Part way through the video she shows an image of a normal egg, with a dark purple zona pellucida around it. Then she compares this to an abnormal egg from a person with a genetic change in ZP3. The egg has no zona pellucida, isn't round, and has started to degenerate

Chen T, Bian Y, Liu X, et al. A Recurrent Missense Mutation in ZP3 Causes Empty Follicle Syndrome and Female Infertility. Am J Hum Genet. 2017;101(3):459-465. doi:10.1016/j.ajhg.2017.08.001

Yang P, Chen T, Liu Y, et al. The critical role of ZP genes in female infertility characterized by empty follicle syndrome and oocyte degeneration. Fertil Steril. 2021;115(5):1259-1269. doi:10.1016/j.fertnstert.2020.11.003

Zhang D, Zhu L, Liu Z, et al. A novel mutation in ZP3 causes empty follicle syndrome and abnormal zona pellucida formation. J Assist Reprod Genet. 2021;38(1):251-259. doi:10.1007/s10815-020-01995-0

11/17/2025

Patients deserve to make informed choices!

I need to mention that as a genetic counselor, I highly value working with physicians who also support the reproductive autonomy of our mutual patients. I cannot work in a silo, and sometimes I do not have the full picture of the patient's health and whether an embryo transfer decision is safe or right for them. So while my patient may decide that they wish to transfer a certain embryo after genetic counseling, it is always important that they talk to their physician to ensure that is right for them after we have met.

What I am not ok with is paternalistic physicians who are relying on outdated data, or who are trying to protect their success rates and prevent patients from using embryos for these reasons.

What has your experience been with PGT-A?

Video description: Meaghan, a woman with long curly brown hair speaks to the camera.

11/14/2025

Genetic Journeys is a collection of patient stories of trying to conceive when there was a genetic twist. The goal is to inspire hope and remind others who may be in a similar situation that they are not alone.

We are so excited to share our first story from someone who happens to be a patient who provided us permission to share. After conceiving via IUI at 36yo our patient made the difficult decision to end her pregnancy due to a diagnosis of Down Syndrome. After moving to IVF at 37 she had 4 embryos with euploid results and 1 with a mosaic result. Transfer of three euploids were unsuccessful. She thought she only had one usable embryo left, but once she spoke with and she felt the hope in her mosaic. She transferred both and now has healthy twin girls.

Remember, these stories are meant to inspire hope and build community among those with genetic differences in their TTC journey. Nothing should be considered medical advice. Always talk to your doctor and/or genetic counselor for details on your specific situation.
Read the full story on the DNAide blog

Was there a genetic curveball in your TTC journey that you want to share? Link to the form to submit your story to Genetic Journeys is in my bio. We welcome successes, as well as stories that didn’t end as you may have hoped. We hold space for both realities that genetics can bring when TTC.

11/13/2025

It’s Genetic Counselor Appreciation Day! As DNAide’s Founder I absolutely need to shout out the two amazing GCs and that work by my side, helping to support DNAide’s patients with me. There is so much that I could say about both of these lovely people, but I’ve tried to keep it short and sweet.

Image description: Text reads “Genetic Counselor Appreciation Day. Love notes to DNAide’s Genetic Counsellors” Two love notes are displayed, each with a photo of the individual, their name, and writing of what Meaghan appreciates about them. The first is for Emma and reads “I appreciate how your bubbling energy matches mine, your committee to DNAide, and your growing bravery for speaking up against what isn’t right in our field/the world”. The second is for Claire and reads “I appreciate how you model a beautiful work-life balance that I strive to emulate and the work you do to make fertility genetics education accessible for French speakers”. It is signed by Meaghan Doyle, DNAide’s Founder and fellow genetic counsellor

11/11/2025

TUBB8 is a gene with clear evidence linking it to OZEMA (oocyte/zygote/embryo maturation arrest). The protein it codes for is located only in the eggs so individuals with a change in TUBB8 have no way of knowing they’ll have concerns with fertility. But once they do IVF they either have immature eggs or embryos that fail to reach the blastocyst stage.

Testing of this gene is not straightforward and it is important to have a genetic counsellor with expertise in this area as part of the team if you’re considering testing. That’s why is soon launching our Fertility Genetic Testing Program so it’s easier for patients and professionals to access this testing. The link for the waitlist is in our bio.

11/06/2025

Coming soon!

DNAide will soon be launching our Advanced Fertility Genetic Testing Program. New genes have been discovered that can lead to infertility and IVF failure, including OZEMA, fertilization failure, and more. Genetic testing can provide important insights, but it isn’t straightforward. Working with genetics professionals is critical.

Sound helpful? Sign up for our waitlist (link in bio) to be the first to know when we launch! We’ll share more about genes that have been discovered, who can consider testing, and more along the way.

11/04/2025

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10/29/2025

Healthy twins born from aneuploid embryos! We have so much to say about this case report so checkout the full commentary on our YouTube channel

Embryo results:
- 5AB 46, XY
- 5AB XX -5, -18
- 4CC XX -11p
- 4CC XX -7, -9, -18

Tise CG, Verma K, Rivera-Cruz G, et al. Healthy euploid dizygotic twin birth after transfer of nonmosaic aneuploid embryos. Fertil Steril. Published online June 25, 2025. doi:10.1016/j.fertnstert.2025.06.033

10/27/2025

OZEMA can be a reason for unexplained infertility that doesn’t get seen until IVF. There are many genes that can cause OZEMA but having genetic testing done isn’t straightforward. Working with a genetic counsellor who specializes in fertility genetics is important if you’re thinking about testing.

10/25/2025

We’re making it easier than ever to get carrier screening in Canada, AND be informed about whether it’s right for you at the same time. Our new on demand information session answers all your questions about carrier screening, plus you can complete the paperwork to get started with testing right away if you want to proceed.

10/23/2025

Stories like this are why DNAide exists 🫶🏻

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