Genetic Carrier Screening

Reproductive genetic carrier screening (sometimes referred to as genetic carrier screening, carrier screening, or expanded carrier screening) involves analysing genes from an individual’s blood or saliva sample to identify carriers of certain genetic changes that can increase the chance of having a child with health conditions.

Genes are short sections of DNA that provide specific instructions for our body to grow, develop and function. An individual’s genetic information is then packaged into tiny threadlike structures called chromosomes. A typical human cell contains 46 chromosomes, or 23 chromosome pairs (with one copy from each pair usually originating from the egg, and the other copy originating from the sperm). These chromosome pairs are labelled 1 to 22 (the autosomes) and X and Y (the sex chromosomes). We all carry variations in our genetic code, which makes each of us unique. However, some gene variations (also known as mutations) can disrupt how a gene works and cause health implications. Individuals with these variations may experience health implications themselves or be at risk of having children with a genetic condition.

The decision to have screening is a personal choice made by the individual or couple. It is not mandatory. However, it is important individuals are aware this testing is available for them. Your fertility specialist or physician may have suggested you consider reproductive genetic carrier screening. The Royal Australian and New Zealand College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists (RANZCOG) advise that couples planning to conceive or in early pregnancy should be offered genetic carrier screening as part of their reproductive planning and care. It can often be helpful to do research and speak to a genetic counsellor to help make this decision. You can learn more about genetic carrier screening by reading this information and exploring the carrier screening guide by the Reproductive Genetics team at Victorian Clinical Genetics Service (VCGS) here:  carrier-screen-guide.vcgs.org.au.

Approximately 90% of individuals who are carriers of a genetic condition, do not have a family history of the genetic condition(s). Individuals without a family history of a genetic condition should still consider carrier screening.

The three options for reproductive carrier screening offered by VCGS are outlined in the table below:

*The listed costs are an approximate guide only and will be confirmed for you by VCGS.

There are many laboratory and genetics services that offer different forms of carrier screening. No.1 Fertility recommends genetic carrier screening through the Reproductive Genetics team at Victorian Clinical Genetics Services (VCGS) via one of the three options listed in the table above. To arrange genetic carrier screening through VCGS, you can order and pay for prepair 3, prepair 500+, and prepair 1000+ online at https://www.vcgs.org.au/prepair-carrier-screening/. Please choose your preferred test and select “I don’t have a test request form/access code”. The VCGS reproductive genetic counselling team will contact you to arrange a phone call to discuss testing and obtain your consent. Saliva kits will be sent to you after the genetic counselling phone call. At this time, if you decide the test selected is not right for you, the genetic counsellor can change your order or cancel testing.

The two major types of inheritance that can lead to a healthy couple having children with serious genetic conditions are called autosomal recessive and X-linked recessive.

Autosomal recessive conditions

An autosomal recessive condition means both copies of the gene must be faulty for the condition or trait to develop. Carriers of recessive conditions are usually healthy and have no signs or symptoms associated with the condition. They are therefore sometimes referred to as ‘silent carriers’. Common examples of recessive conditions are Thalassemia and Cystic Fibrosis.

If both individuals within a couple are found to be carriers of the same recessive genetic change/condition, each of their conceptions will have a 25% (1 in 4) chance of inheriting the condition.

X-linked conditions

X-linked conditions are caused by genetic changes occurring on the X chromosome. Males typically have a X and a Y chromosome in each cell whilst females usually have two X chromosomes. When there is a genetic change on the X chromosome, females are generally unaffected or less severely affected than males as they have a second unaffected copy of the gene on their other X chromosome. Males are therefore generally more severely affected by X-linked conditions as they typically only have one X chromosome (i.e. if there is a genetic change on their X chromosome they do not have a second unaffected copy to compensate).

If a female is a carrier for an X-linked condition, there will be a 1 in 4 chance of having a son affected by the condition for each conception. The most common X-linked recessive condition is Fragile X syndrome.

It is common to be a carrier of at least one genetic condition. Carriers are usually healthy and do not have any symptoms, which is why most carriers are unaware. However, it is important for your partner to consider screening to determine if they are also a carrier of the same condition, to determine if there is risk to future offspring. Where both members of a couple are found to be carriers of an autosomal recessive condition or a woman is found to be a carrier of an X-linked condition, there is a 1 in 4 chance of each pregnancy being affected by the condition. When you are found to be a carrier of a recessive genetic condition, your first-degree relatives (your siblings, parents and children) are at a 50% chance of carrying the same genetic change and might benefit from genetic counselling to discuss testing in themselves.

Individuals or couples found to be at risk of having a child with a genetic condition can choose to conceive naturally, or through IVF. If they choose to conceive naturally, there are specific tests during the pregnancy that can determine if the pregnancy has inherited the genetic condition. If they choose to have IVF treatment and create embryos, often a test can be developed for testing embryos via preimplantation genetic testing for monogenic conditions (PGT-M) to determine if they are suitable for transfer (unaffected or some carriers), to reduce the risk. Both pathways are very personal decisions and can be discussed in detail with your Fertility Specialist or Genetic Counsellor.

Yes. However, you need to be aware there is always a small chance you will be found to be at an increased risk of having a child with a genetic condition. For individuals or reproductive couples undertaking expanded carrier screening (such as prepair500+ or prepair1000+), only a small proportion (1-2%) of people will be found to be at increased reproductive risk.

Results for prepair (core panel) take approximately 2-3 weeks to be reported, and results for prepair+ (extended panel) take approximately 4-6 weeks to be reported. You will be contacted to discuss your results for testing arranged through the VCGS Reproductive Genetics team and linked with your care at No.1 Fertility.

If you have read this information and have questions, please contact the No.1 Genetics Department at 9132 9600 or email genetics@number1fertility.com to organise a time to speak to one of our Genetic Counsellors.

To arrange genetic carrier screening, please contact the Reproductive Genetics team at VCGS on 9936 6402 or at screeninggc@vcgs.org.au and inform them you are a patient of No.1 Fertility.