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Fetal H‐Y Typing Using Human Amniotic Fluid *
Author(s) -
KOO GLORIA C.,
REIUY JUDY A.,
HAMMERLING ULRICH,
CEDERQVIST LARS L.
Publication year - 1983
Publication title -
american journal of reproductive immunology
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
eISSN - 1600-0897
pISSN - 0271-7352
DOI - 10.1111/j.1600-0897.1983.tb00215.x
Subject(s) - amniotic fluid , fetus , antigen , typing , monoclonal antibody , biology , andrology , antibody , pregnancy , microbiology and biotechnology , immunology , medicine , genetics
The H‐Y (male) antigen is phylogenetically conserved among vertebrate species, including the species man. Previous studies have indicated the presence of a “soluble” H‐Y antigen in male serum and culture fluids of male cells. We examined over 50 samples of amniotic fluid from male and female fetuses to determine if H‐Y typing could be correlated with the sex of the fetus. Samples of amniotic fluid were tested to inhibit the reactivity of monoclonal antibodies in a standard H‐Y assay with protein A sheep red blood cells. We found that amniotic fluids from male fetuses inhibited 40% of the reactivity and that amniotic fluids from female fetuses inhibited 0.5% of reactivity. We could also correctly identify the sex of 90% of male fetuses and 100% of female fetuses. We have not yet identified the exact nature of the inhibiting antigen(s) in the amniotic fluids, but our results clearly indicate the feasibility of fetal H‐Y typing.