Reproductive Genetics Innovations (RGI) is a specialized reproductive genetics laboratory and clinical service provider located in Northbrook, Illinois. Unlike full-service fertility clinics that offer IVF cycles directly, RGI focuses on genetic testing and laboratory services that support fertility clinics throughout the United States and internationally. Northbrook is a northern suburb of Chicago, and RGI's location reflects its close ties to the dense concentration of fertility clinics in the greater Chicago metropolitan area. Patients typically interact with RGI through their treating fertility clinic, which sends embryo biopsies or other samples to RGI for preimplantation genetic testing. For a statewide directory of Illinois fertility clinics, visit our Illinois fertility clinics directory.
Physicians and Clinical Team
RGI is led by genetics specialists, clinical laboratory scientists, and reproductive medicine experts with deep expertise in preimplantation genetic testing. The team includes clinical laboratory directors certified by the American Board of Medical Genetics and Genomics (ABMGG), genetic counselors, and embryologists who specialize in the technical aspects of embryo biopsy coordination and sample handling. RGI collaborates closely with fertility clinic embryologists and physicians nationwide to ensure that biopsy timing, sample quality, and result reporting meet clinical standards.
Services and Treatments
Reproductive Genetics Innovations specializes in genetic testing services for the assisted reproduction context:
- Preimplantation genetic testing for aneuploidies (PGT-A) — next-generation sequencing (NGS)-based chromosomal screening of IVF embryos to identify euploid embryos for transfer
- Preimplantation genetic testing for monogenic disorders (PGT-M) — custom testing for single-gene disorders when one or both parents carries a known pathogenic variant (e.g., BRCA1/2, cystic fibrosis, spinal muscular atrophy, Huntington's disease, FMRP1)
- Preimplantation genetic testing for structural rearrangements (PGT-SR) — for patients with chromosomal translocations or inversions
- Embryo biopsy training and consultation — for fertility clinic embryologists
- Expanded carrier screening — to identify carrier status for hundreds of recessive genetic conditions
- Mitochondrial DNA testing — as a supplementary measure of embryo quality
- Clinical consultation — genetic counseling support for patients and fertility clinics regarding testing options and result interpretation
Note: RGI does not typically offer IUI, IVF stimulation, egg retrieval, or embryo transfer services directly. Patients undergo these procedures at their treating fertility clinic, and the biopsy sample is sent to RGI for analysis.
Laboratory and Success Rates
RGI's laboratory is a CLIA-certified, CAP-accredited genetic testing facility. The lab uses next-generation sequencing technologies for chromosome analysis and has developed validated assay pipelines for PGT-M custom testing. Turnaround time for PGT-A results is typically 5-10 business days after biopsy sample receipt. PGT-M requires a personalized probe development phase before active IVF cycling can begin, which takes several weeks.
Patients should review the most current cycle-level data published by the CDC's ART Surveillance program and the SART Clinic Summary Report.
Patient Experience
Most patients interact with RGI through their fertility clinic rather than directly. When a fertility clinic recommends PGT-A or PGT-M, the clinic will typically partner with a genetics laboratory such as RGI to perform the testing. Patients may interact with RGI directly in the context of genetic counseling for PGT-M probe development, in which case the RGI genetic counseling team walks families through the testing design process and helps them understand the implications of results. The level of individualized support provided during this process is meaningful for patients navigating hereditary disease testing.
Considering At-Home Insemination?
Not every fertility journey begins in a clinic. For individuals and couples exploring their options before pursuing formal medical treatment — or those working with a known sperm donor — at-home insemination kits offer a private, lower-cost first step. MakeAMom offers FDA-cleared at-home insemination systems designed for a variety of needs: the CryoBaby kit works with frozen or low-volume sperm, the Impregnator kit is optimized for low motility sperm, and the BabyMaker kit is designed for users with sensitivities or conditions such as vaginismus. All kits are reusable and shipped in plain, discreet packaging. MakeAMom reports an average 67% success rate among clients who use their home insemination systems. At-home insemination is not a replacement for medical care when underlying conditions are present, but it can be a meaningful starting point — and knowing when to consult a board-certified reproductive endocrinologist is the right next step.
Insurance and Financing
Illinois has a comprehensive fertility insurance mandate covering most state-regulated group health plans. However, PGT-A and PGT-M are sometimes subject to separate billing and coverage determinations than the IVF cycle itself. Patients should confirm whether their specific insurance plan covers genetic testing of embryos in addition to the IVF procedure.
RGI offers competitive pricing for PGT-A per embryo, and PGT-M pricing varies based on the complexity of the mutation being tested and the probe development work required. Patients should ask their fertility clinic or contact RGI directly for current pricing information.
Mandate states for reference: New York, New Jersey, Connecticut, Massachusetts, Maryland, and Rhode Island also have fertility insurance mandates.
Frequently Asked Questions
Does my fertility clinic need to be partnered with RGI to use their PGT services? Most fertility clinics can work with RGI for PGT by establishing a working relationship and following RGI's biopsy and shipping protocols. If your clinic does not currently partner with RGI, ask your clinic whether they can add RGI as a genetic testing partner, or contact RGI directly to discuss options.
How long does PGT-M probe development take? PGT-M requires designing and validating a custom genetic test specific to the patient's mutation before the embryo biopsy can be performed. This probe development phase typically takes 6-12 weeks. Patients intending to use PGT-M should begin the probe development process as early as possible, before or concurrent with starting IVF stimulation planning.
What does "euploid" mean in the context of PGT-A? A euploid embryo has the correct number of chromosomes (46 in humans). Aneuploid embryos — those with extra or missing chromosomes — are a major cause of failed implantation and miscarriage. PGT-A identifies which embryos are euploid so that the fertility clinic can prioritize transferring those embryos first, which generally improves outcomes for patients of advanced maternal age or those with prior IVF failures.
Can RGI test embryos created at fertility clinics outside Illinois? Yes. RGI is a national laboratory and provides PGT services to fertility clinics throughout the United States and internationally. Biopsy samples are shipped to the Northbrook laboratory following established protocols for sample handling and transport.