Background. A program for preimplantation genetic diagnosis of pre-embryos from patients with hereditary disorders was set up in our unit at Sahlgrenska University Hospital in 1994. The majority of the patients were carriers of X-chromosome linked disorders; a few patients were translocation carriers. In this paper we describe our experiences of our first 36 cycles, 30 gender determinations and six analyses of embryos with possible translocations. Methods. Conventional hormone replacement treatment with intracytoplasmic sperm injection to fertilize the eggs followed by blastomere biopsy and fluorescent in situ hybridization at the eight cell stage was used for sexing as well as detection of translocations. Results. Out of the 30 cycles in 13 patients for gender determination, blastomere biopsies could be carried out in 25 cycles. Transfer of normal female embryos (XX) was performed in 18 cycles, resulting in five pregnancies (pregnancy rate 27.8%) and an implantation rate of 20% per transfer. Three girls have been born. Hence the take home baby rate was 16.7% per transfer and 10% per started cycle. Six cycles (three patients) for detection of translocations in embryos were performed. Diagnosis was possible in four cycles. Transfer of normal embryos was carried out in one cycle. No pregnancy was achieved. Conclusion. Successful PGD in its clinical application demands close collaboration between a large group of specialists. Even so, the success rate is considerably lower than after conventional IVF or ICSI procedures. Taking into account the stress caused to the parents facing late interruption of pregnancy following conventional prenatal diagnosis we are convinced that this technique is well worthwhile continuing and refining.

Acta Ohstet Gynecol Scand 1995; 74: 199–202. © Acta Obstet Gynecol Scand 1995 Background . Many politicians and decision-makers in health care consider assisted reproduction an expensive and exclusive treatment despite the results of in vitro fertilizationiembryo transfer (IVF/ET) treatments having improved considerably during the last few years. With the improved results the costs in relation to successful outcome are decreasing. Aim and Methods . The aim of this study was to evaluate the cost-benefit of IVF/ET treatments in a group of infertile couples. The benefit was measured as willingness to pay (WTP) for IVF/ET treatment and was related to the cost of IVF/ET. For the calculation of costs, data from one private and one public IVF clinic in Sweden during the period from January 1992 to March 1993 were used. Results and conclusions . The cost analysis showed a direct cost for IVF/ET of $3,170 per started treatment and $9,410 per delivery. Including the indirect cost, the total cost was $3,880 per started IVFIET treatment and $11,490 per delivery. The survey of the WTP showed that the infertile couples gave high economic priority to infertility treatment. A majority of the couples were willing to pay more for a child than the calculated direct cost.