Premium
Genetic analysis of fetal nucleated red blood cells from CVS washings
Author(s) -
Jakobs Marja E.,
van Lith Jan M. M.,
de Graaf Irene M.,
Knegt Alida C.,
Hoovers Jan M. N.
Publication year - 2000
Publication title -
prenatal diagnosis
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.956
H-Index - 97
eISSN - 1097-0223
pISSN - 0197-3851
DOI - 10.1002/1097-0223(200010)20:10<832::aid-pd921>3.0.co;2-u
Subject(s) - fetus , nucleated red blood cell , prenatal diagnosis , andrology , medicine , biology , genetics , pregnancy
Chorionic villus sampling (CVS) is an established invasive prenatal diagnostic method for the detection of fetal chromosome aberrations. In 1–2% the karyotype result of CVS is inconclusive and follow‐up confirmation will be required. To avoid another invasive procedure we examined fetal nucleated red blood cells (NRBCs) from CVS washings for genetic analysis. We analysed the washings of 20 chorionic villi samples of male fetuses. Fetal NRBCs were immunostained by an antibody against embryonic haemoglobin (HbE). FISH was performed with probes specific for the X and Y chromosome and the nucleus was counterstained with DAPI. Cells positive for the antibody, as well as for DAPI, were collected and stored by a semi‐automated microscope. An operator reviewed those cells for their FISH signals. In 19 out of 20 CVS washings we found nucleated cells positive for HbE together with XY FISH signals. In none of the washings HbE positive cells with two X signals were found. Our results indicate that anti‐HbE is a very specific antibody for identifying fetal NRBCs. NRBCs from CVS washings can be used as an additional fetal tissue for first trimester prenatal diagnosis. Copyright © 2000 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.