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Identification of embryo–fetal cells in celomic fluid using morphological and short‐tandem repeats analysis
Author(s) -
Giambona Antonino,
Leto Filippo,
Damiani Gianfranca,
Jakil Cristina,
Cigna Valentina,
Schillaci Giovanna,
Stampone Giuseppe,
Volpes Aldo,
Allegra Adolfo,
Nicolaides Kypros H.,
Makrydimas George,
Passarello Cristina,
Maggio Aurelio
Publication year - 2016
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/pd.4922
Subject(s) - fetus , embryo , yolk sac , biology , andrology , prenatal diagnosis , polymerase chain reaction , pregnancy , gestation , pathology , genetics , medicine , gene
Objective The main problem to wide acceptability of celocentesis as earlier prenatal diagnosis is contamination of the sample by maternal cells. The objective of this study was to investigate the cellular composition of celomic fluid for morphological discrimination between maternal and embryo–fetal cells. Method Celomic fluids were aspired by ultrasound‐guided transcervical celocentesis at 7–9 weeks' gestation from singleton pregnancies before surgical termination for psychological reasons. DNA extracted from celomic fluid cells showed the same morphology, and quantitative fluorescent polymerase chain reaction (PCR) assay was performed to evaluate their fetal or maternal origin. Results Six different types of non‐hematological maternal and four different types of embryo–fetal cells were detected. The most common maternal cells were of epithelial origin. The majority of embryo–fetal cells were roundish with a nucleus located in an eccentric position near the wall. These cells were considered to be erythroblasts, probably derived from the yolk sac that serves as the initial site of erythropoiesis. Conclusions The combined use of morphology and DNA analysis makes it possible to select and isolate embryo–fetal cells, even when maternal contamination is high. This development provides the opportunity for the use of celocentesis for early prenatal diagnosis of genetic diseases and application of array comparative genomic hybridization. © 2016 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.