A comparative genomic hybridization study in a 46,XX male

OBJECTIVE: To identify Y chromosome material in an azoospermic male with an XX karyotype.DESIGN: Case report. SETTING: Faculty of medicine and Centro de Patologia Celular (CPC) medical center. PATIENT(S): A 33-year-old man with infertility. INTERVENTION(S): G-banding, fluorescence in situ hybridization (FISH), polymerase chain reaction (PCR), and comparative genomic hybridization (CGH). MAIN OUTCOME MEASURE(S): FISH for X and Y chromosomes, PCR for the SRYgene and amelogenin gene in the Xp (AMGX) and (AMGY), and losses or gains with CGH. RESULT(S): FISH analysis using X and Y chromosome-specific probes showed an X chromosome containing Y chromosome sequences on the top of the short arm; this Y chromosome region was not visible by conventional cytogenetic analysis. PCR amplification of DNA showed the presence of the sex-determining region of the Y chromosome (SRY) and the amelogenin gene in the pseudoautosomal boundary of the X chromosome (AMGX). CGH confirmed the presence of the chromosome region Yp11.2-pter and detected the presence of the two otherwise normal X chromosomes. CONCLUSION(S): The two Xpter (XPAR1) pseudoautosomal regions present in this XX male suggest the need to reevaluate XX males using CGH and PCR to characterize the clinical variability in XX males due to genes other than those located on the Y chromosome.     

Rapid prenatal diagnosis of trisomy 21 in 5049 consecutive uncultured amniotic fluid samples by fluorescence in situ hybridisation (FISH).

OBJECTIVES: This was a retrospective study on the results of interphase fluorescence in situ hybridization (FISH), performed routinely for chromosome 21 and on ultrasonographic indications for chromosomes 13, 18, X and Y in a series of 5049 amniotic fluid samples. METHODS: Interphase FISH for chromosome 21 was performed in 5049 consecutive amniotic fluid samples for the rapid prenatal diagnosis of Down syndrome. Aneuploidy for four other chromosomes (13, 18, X and Y) was tested following ultrasonographic indications. Karyotypes from standard cytogenetic analysis were compared to the FISH results. RESULTS: Using conventional cytogenetics 3.6% (183/5049) chromosomal anomalies were detected. After exclusion of familial chromosome rearrangements, i.e. balanced autosomal reciprocal or Robertsonian translocations (30/5049) and inversions (19/5049), 2.65% chromosomal anomalies (134/5049) were diagnosed. Of this group 0.18% (9/5049) were chromosomal rearrangements not detectable by FISH and 2.47% (125/5049) were numerical chromosomal anomalies detectable by interphase FISH for chromosomes 13, 18, 21, X and Y. With routine interphase FISH for chromosome 21 and FISH on echographic indication for the other four chromosomes we detected 107/125 of these numerical chromosomal anomalies, i.e. 85.6%. All 70 cases of trisomy 21 were detected by FISH and confirmed with conventional cytogenetics (sensitivity=100%) and there were no false-positive results (specificity=100%). Maternal cell contamination of amniotic fluid samples occurred in 1.27% (64/5049) of samples; 0.26% (13/5049) of these samples were uninformative by FISH due to maternal cell contamination (12/5049) or absence of nuclei in one sample (1/5049). CONCLUSION: In this group of 5049 samples we found that FISH is a reliable technique for the rapid prenatal diagnosis of trisomy 21. The number of uninformative cases due to maternal cell contamination was low. The strategy to perform FISH for chromosome 21 in all samples and only on ultrasonographic indication for the four other chromosomes (13, 18, X and Y) followed by standard cytogenetics is effective.     

Effectiveness of prenatal chromosomal analysis using multicolor fluorescent in situ hybridisation

Objective To evaluate the clinical effectiveness of multicolour fluorescent in situ hybridisation (FISH) analysis in routine prenatal diagnosis.
Design Prospective study.
Sample 3203 amniotic fluid samples.
Methods Unique DNA (chromosomes 13 and 21) and α satellite centromeric-specific (chromosomes X, Y and 18) probes were used in two mixes to permit the simultaneous analysis of several chromosomes. The performance of multicolour FISH and conventional cytogenetic analysis was compared.
Results Conventional cytogenetic analysis identified 111 chromosomal abnormalities, of which 94 were potentially detectable by the FISH technique and 97 would be typically associated with neonatal phenotypic abnormalities. Multicolour FISH analysis detected 84% (93/111) of all chromosome abnormalities and 99% (93/94) of abnormalities where there was a specific probe. The sensitivity of multicolour FISH analysis was 95% (92/97) for chromosomal abnormalities likely to result in an abnormal postnatal outcome. Multiple ultrasound abnormalities were detected in all five cases of clinically relevant chromosomal abnormalities missed by multicolour FISH. FISH results were available within 48 hours and the sample failure rate was 0.1% (3/3202).
Conclusion Multicolour FISH analysis is a sensitive and reliable technique for the rapid prenatal diagnosis of chromosomal abnormalities. Examining only five chromosomes allowed 95% of clinically relevant chromosomal abnormalities to be diagnosed correctly. As routine antenatal screening is targeted at the major autosomal trisomies and sex chromosome aneuploidies, multicolour FISH analysis may potentially replace conventional cytogenetic analysis in routine prenatal diagnosis.     

Detection of chromosome abnormalities by quantitative fluorescent PCR in ectopic pregnancies

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the potential value of quantitative fluorescent polymerase chain reaction (QF-PCR) in the detection of chromosome abnormalities in ectopic pregnancies. METHODS: Seventy chorionic villi samples of ectopic pregnancies were studied by QF-PCR. Primers for chromosomes 16, 21, X and Y in chorionic villi were evaluated. Fluorescence in situ hybridization (FISH) was performed when results of QF-PCR showed aneuploidy, in case of unexplicable QF-PCR peaks, and in 10 cases with normal QF-PCR results. RESULTS: QF-PCR produced a result for chromosomes X and Y in 66 cases (94%), for chromosome 16 in 62 cases (89%) and for chromosome 21 in 55 cases (79%). Overall, QF-PCR produced a result for the chromosomes tested in 54 ectopic pregnancy cases (77%). Fifty-two of these results were normal disomic (96%) and two were abnormal, one trisomy 16 (2%) and one triploidy (2%). In 16 cases (23%) no definite QF-PCR results could be obtained for all chromosomes, 11 due to amplification failure, and 5 due to unexplicable QF-PCR peaks. In 10 cases with normal QF-PCR results, disomy was confirmed by FISH. The trisomy 16 was also confirmed by FISH. Furthermore, a result was obtained with FISH in 5 of the cases without definite QF-PCR results. CONCLUSION: Although QF-PCR can establish the chromosomal status in ectopic pregnancies for chromosomes 16, 21, X and Y in the majority of cases, the technical failure rate is still considerable and does not improve results when compared to cytogenetic techniques.     

Validation of primed in situ labeling for interphase analysis of chromosomes 18, X,and Y in uncultured amniocytes

OBJECTIVE: Primed in situ labeling (PRINS) is an interesting alternative to the traditional fluorescence in situ hybridization (FISH) for the in situ detection of specific sequences in chromosome anomalies. It combines the sensitivity and specificity of the polymerase chain reaction with the specific in situ signal detection capability of FISH. METHODS: We performed PRINS on uncultured amniocytes and compared the results with standard cytogenetic analysis. In a prospective study, a total of 262 independent samples were analyzed for numerical aberrations of chromosome 18. RESULTS: In more than 95% of the cases PRINS reactions were successfully achieved. Neither false-positive nor false-negative results were obtained. 62 of the 262 cases were in parallel examined for chromosome 18 aneuploidies by FISH. Although there were significant differences in signal distribution, these did not lead to a different overall classification of the respective cases, i.e., the end results of disomic and trisomic cases for chromosome 18 were identical between FISH and PRINS. In 205 of 262 cases PRINS was performed for chromosomes X and Y. 97.6% of these samples were properly sex differentiated. CONCLUSIONS: The PRINS assay is a simple and cheap alternative to detect numerical aberrations of chromosome 18. However, the rate of false-positive results for chromosome X was calculated as 1% and the rate of false-negative ones for chromosome Y as 2%. Further investigations are required to transform PRINS into an alternative to conventional methods for routine rapid prenatal diagnosis of gonosomes.     

荧光原位杂交技术快速产前诊断胎儿血细胞非整倍体的价值

目的 探讨荧光原位杂交（FISH）技术在产前诊断脐血细胞非整倍体中的应用价值：方法 2004-06—2005-03，对广州市妇婴医院114例孕18～38W有产前诊断指征的孕妇进行脐血穿刺。采用X／Y染色体着丝粒探针和21q22．13-q22．2特异性探针对脐血细胞进行间期FISH检测，然后在荧光显微镜下观察，用Leica染色体核型自动分析仪QFISH软件进行图像的摄取和处理。同时所有脐血标本进行细胞培养，常规染色体G显带核型分析作为对照。结果 114例脐血标本都有FISH检测结果，107例具有正常核型染色体数目，异常7例，其中4例为唐氏综合征（3例为典型唐氏综合征，1例为嵌舍体），3例为性染色体数目异常。结论 FISH技术用于产前诊断脐血常见染色体数目异常，具有简便、快速、特异性强等优点，能为临床诊断提供依据。     

Rapid detection of chromosomes X and Y aneuploidies by quantitative fluorescent PCR

Quantitative fluorescent polymerase chain reaction (QF-PCR) assays and small tandem repeat (STR) markers have been successfully employed for the rapid detection of major numerical aneuploidies affecting human autosomes. So far, the analysis of chromosomes X and Y disorders has been hampered by the rarity of highly polymorphic markers which could distinguish normal female homozygous PCR patterns from those seen in patients with Turner's syndrome. A new marker (X22) of the X/Y chromosomes has been identified which maps in the Xq/Yq pseudoautosomal region PAR2; used together with the HPRT it allows the rapid diagnosis of numerical aneuploidies of the sex chromosomes. Blood samples from normal male and female subjects and from patients with X and Y chromosome disorders (45,X and 47, XXY) have been tested by QF-PCR with the X22 polymorphic pentanucleotide (12 alleles) together with the HPRT and P39 markers. The samples were also tested by multiplex QF-PCR with STRs specific for chromosomes 21,18,13 and amelogenin (AMXY). Tested by QF-PCR, all samples from normal females were heterozygous for either the X22 or the HPRT marker with fluorescent peak ratios near 1:1, thus allowing a correct, rapid diagnosis of their chromosome complement. Turner's patients (45,X) showed only one X22 and one HPRT fluorescent peak, thus documenting the presence of a single X chromosome. Turner's patients with mosaicism showed a major fluorescent peak for the X22 and HPRT markers and a minor peak revealing the presence of a second minor population of cells. Two 47, XXY cases could also be diagnosed. Multiplex analyses can be performed using simultaneously STR markers for chromosomes 21,18,13 X and Y. The diagnostic value of a third X-linked marker (P39) was also investigated. These results suggest that rapid diagnosis of major numerical anomalies of the X and Y chromosomes can be performed using QF-PCR with a new highly polymorphic X-linked marker, X22, which maps in the Xq/Yq pseudoautosomal region PAR 2. Multiplex QF-PCR tests-using the X22 STR in association with HPRT and, in rare cases, a third P39 marker-allow the rapid diagnosis of major aneuploidies affecting chromosomes 21, 18, 13, X and Y. The X22 marker can also be employed for the detection of fetal cells present in maternal peripheral blood or the endocervical canal.     

Delineation of an isodicentric Y chromosome in a mosaic 45,X/46,X,idic(Y)(qter-p11.3::p11.3-qter) fetus by SRY sequencing, G-banding, FISH, SKY and study of distribution in different tissues.

Many factors such as genetic, developmental and hormonal are involved in mammalian sex determination. The relative importance and the mutual interactions among those factors are obscure. Study of cytogenetic mosaicism involving sex chromosomes may help to further unravel the mysterious process. We report a fetus with a mosaic karyotype, 45,X/46,X,idic(Y)(qter-p11.3::p11.3-qter), with unambiguous male external genitalia and a defect in the interventricular septum of the heart. Genotype of this fetus was extensively studied by technologies including sequencing of SRY (sex-determining region on the Y chromosome) gene, G-banding, FISH (fluorescence in situ hybridization) and SKY (spectral karyotyping). A markedly higher percentage of Y-containing cells was observed in the gonads (55%) than in the amniotic fluid (17%) and placental villi (11%), which was considered to be the major reason why the fetus did not have ambiguous genitalia.     

1例嵌合型45,X/46,X,r(Y)患者的遗传学分析

目的:应用细胞遗传学和分子生物学技术分析1例嵌合型45,X/46,X,r(Y)患者的核型。方法:应用常规染色体标本制备方法进行G-显带和C-显带;并应用CEPX(DXZ1,Xp11.1-q11.1,Spectrum Green,Vysis)探针、LSI SRY(Yp11.3,Spectrum Orange,Vysis)探针和CEP18(D18Z1,18p11.1-q11.1,Spectrum Aqua,Vysis)与患者的中期分裂相进行荧光原位杂交(fluorescence in situ hybridization,FISH);同时应用PCR技术对患者进行Y染色体微缺失检测。结果:结合G-显带、C-显带、FISH检测结果和Y染色体微缺失的检测结果,确定该患者核型为46,X,r(Y)(p11.3q12)[85]/45,X[15]。Yq11区生精基因微缺失检测未显示该患者存在缺失。结论:细胞遗传学检测结合FISH可以诊断复杂的染色体异常,为患者提供正确的遗传咨询和生育指导。     

Prenatal and postnatal characterization of Y chromosome structural anomalies by molecular cytogenetic analysis

We describe three cases in which we used fluorescence in situ hybridization (FISH), polymerase chain reaction (PCR) and comparative genomic hybridization (CGH) to characterize Y chromosome structural anomalies, unidentifiable by conventional G-banding. Case 1 was a 46,X,+mar karyotype; FISH analysis revealed an entire marker chromosome highlighted after hybridization with the Y chromosome painting probe. The PCR study showed the presence of Y chromosome markers AMG and SY620 and the absence of SY143, SY254 and SY147. CGH results confirmed the loss of Yq11.2-qter. These results indicated the presence of a deletion: del(Y)(q11.2). Case 2 was a 45,X [14]/46,XY[86] karyotype with a very small Y chromosome. The PCR study showed the presence of Y chromosome markers SY620 and AMG, and the absence of SY143, SY254 and SY147. CGH results showed gain of Yq11.2-pter and loss of Yq11.2-q12. These results show the presence of a Yp isodicentric: idic(Y)(q11.2). Case 3 was a 45,X,inv(9)(p11q12)[30]/46,X,idic(Y)(p11.3?),inv(9)(p11q12)[70] karyotype. The FISH signal covered all the abnormal Y chromosome using a Y chromosome paint. The PCR study showed the presence of Y chromosome markers AMG, SY620, SY143, SY254 and SY147. CGH only showed gain of Yq11.2-qter. These results support the presence of an unbalanced (Y;Y) translocation. Our results show that the combined use of molecular and classical cytogenetic methods in clinical diagnosis may allow a better delineation of the chromosome regions implicated in specific clinical disorders.     

荧光原位杂交与核型分析技术产前诊断非整倍体的对比研究

目的:在羊水未培养细胞样本中建立并优化荧光原位杂交技术,应用国产探针检测,探讨其诊断未培养羊水细胞非整倍体的临床应用价值。方法:对100例孕12~27周未培养羊水细胞进行FISH快速产前诊断,对5条染色体(X、Y、13、21和18号)进行检测。以细胞培养常规核型分析作为FISH检测结果的对照。结果:被检100例羊水未培养细胞均获得诊断结果,检测出7例非整倍体,FISH结果与核型分析结果一致。结论:应用国产探针行FISH诊断未培养羊水细胞非整倍体,实验方法成熟稳定,结果准确可靠,符合产前诊断要求,有较大的临床应用价值。     

Prenatal diagnosis of 45,X and 45,X mosaicism: the need for thorough cytogenetic and clinical evaluations

OBJECTIVES: Mosaicism involving a 45,X cell line is relatively common in prenatal diagnosis. In prenatally diagnosed cases, the prognosis of non-mosaic 45,X and 45,X/46,XY mosaicism are different. Therefore, accurate identification of a cell line containing Y chromosome is critical for genetic counseling and postnatal management. METHODS: We investigated the ultrasound findings and outcomes of pregnancies with a 45,X cell line identified during mid-trimester cytogenetic analysis. RESULTS: A total of 105 cases were found to have a 45,X cell line by standard cytogenetic analysis. Seventy-four cases were found to have non-mosaic 45,X at initial diagnosis. Of these 74 cases, 68 had abnormal ultrasound findings that were characteristic of Turner syndrome. Of the six cases with normal ultrasound findings, ultrasound examination was normal with male genitalia identified in three cases. Thorough cytogenetic and fluorescent in situ hybridization (FISH) analysis identified Y chromosome material in all three cases, one with a dicentric Y;14 chromosome and the other two cases with a marker chromosome containing Sex-determining Region (SRY) material in a small portion of the cells. In contrast, in 31 cases with a mosaic 45,X karyotype, ultrasound abnormality was identified only in one case. CONCLUSIONS: The present data suggest the need for follow-up ultrasound examination and thorough cytogenetic and molecular analysis for Y chromosome material in 45,X cases with normal ultrasound findings.     

Correlation of abnormal rapid FISH and chromosome results from amniocytes for prenatal diagnosis

Rapid fluorescence in situ hybridization (FISH) performed on 1,788 amniocenteses, using Aneuvision (Vysis) probes for chromosomes 13, 18, 21, X, and Y, over several years, yielded 115 cases with percentages of aneuploidy between 4 and 100%. All cases above 60% were confirmed to be positive by chromosome analysis. Fifteen of forty-one cases that would be considered inconclusive by generally accepted criteria (i.e. with less than 60% of cells with an abnormal signal pattern) revealed lower cutoffs to be positive when confirmed by chromosome analysis. For trisomy 21, 6 cases with percentages from 36 to 57% were positive; 4 of 7 cases with percentages from 22.5 to 33% were positive; 11 cases with percentages of 13% or less were negative. Similar trends were found for aneuploidies of 13, 18, X, and Y. However, the number of abnormal cases is still too small to determine definitive cutoffs in the <60% gray zone. An average of 57 metaphases was analyzed for cases with FISH percentages below 60%. Despite the wide range of abnormal FISH percentages for chromosomally positive cases, we found no examples of autosomal mosaicism in this series. Although sex chromosome mosaicism was cytogenetically evident in several cases, there was little direct correlation between cytogenetic and rapid FISH results. FISH results involving sex chromosomes were more frequently confounded by maternal cell contamination and other technical factors.     

染色体13／21α卫得探针用于产前诊断21三体综合征

目的：探讨应用染色体13／21α卫星探荧光原位杂交（FISH）技术行产前论断21三体综合征的价值。方法：选择10例经产前细胞遗传学检查证实为孕正常胎儿孕妇的羊水细胞（对照组）、3例证实为21三体胎儿孕妇的羊水细胞（观察组）,用13／21α卫星探针对未经培养的羊水细胞间期核进行FISH杂交,结果：两组总杂交率分别为36．7％和38．6％,差异无显著性（P＞0．05）。对照组和观察组含4个杂交信号的核平均丰分比分别为36．5％和3．9％,含5个杂交信号的核平均百分比分别为4．0％和36．1％,差异有极显著性（P＜0．01）,含5个信号的百分比＜36．1％可作为21三体综合征的诊断标准。结论：13／21α卫星探针间期FISH用于未培养的羊不细胞可以快速,准确地在产前诊断21三体综合征。     

Role of mitotic control in spermatogenesis

OBJECTIVE: To study the correlation between the incidence of sex chromosome aneuploidies in the somatic cells and spermatozoa in karyotypically normal infertile men and fertile donors. DESIGN: A prospective, phase two, controlled study. SETTING: A teaching Hospital Reproductive Medicine and Medical Genetics Units. PATIENT(S): Ten patients with idiopathic oligozoospermia and 10 sperm donors with proven fertility, all with a normal karyotype 46, XY. INTERVENTION(S): Multicolor fluorescence in situ hybridization (FISH) of peripheral blood lymphocytes and spermatozoa using a probe cocktail containing the alpha satellite DXZ1 for the X centromere, DYZ1 for the heterochromatic region of the long arm of the Y, and cosmids D21S259, D21S341, and D21S342 for Down syndrome critical region of chromosome 21. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURE(S): The incidence of chromosome X, Y, and 21 aneuploidies in peripheral lymphocytes and spermatozoa in both groups. RESULT(S): The incidence of aneuploidies related to chromosomes X, Y, and 21 were significantly higher in peripheral lymphocytes and spermatozoa of infertile men compared with donors. There was a positive correlation between the incidence of chromosome aneuploidies in the somatic cells and sperm in all men. CONCLUSION(S): These findings provide suggestive evidence for the importance of mitosis in spermatogenesis and the role of mitotic instability in unexplained oligozoospermia.     

Turner综合征患者标记染色体的鉴定与分析

目的 分析11例携带标记染色体的Turner综合征患者的核型,研究这类染色体的表型效应。方法 选择11例具Turner综合征表型的患者,常规核型分析均显示为携带标记染色体的嵌合体,其中6例标记染色体呈环状。患者G带核型表示为mos．45,X／46,X,＋mar或者mos．45,X／46,X,＋r．以X／Y着丝粒探针,应用荧光原位杂交（FISH）技术分析这些标记染色体起源,对其中2例较大的环状染色体,结合反向染色体涂染确定断裂位点,比较不同断裂位点的标记染色体的遗传学效应。结果11例患者所携带的标记染色体均为环状染色体,r（X）的断裂位点分别位于Xp22、Xq22、Xq24、Xq26等。结论 Turner综合征患者的标记染色体主要来源于X染色体,且表现为r（X）形式。r（X）均以嵌合型的形式存在。     

应用荧光原位杂交技术快速诊断胎儿染色体数目异常

目的 探讨荧光原位杂交（ｆｌｕｏｒｅｃｅｎｔ ｉｎ ｓｉｔｕ ｈｙｂｒｉｄｉｚａｔｉｏｎ,ＦＩＳＨ）技术在快速产前诊断胎儿染色体数目异常中的价值。方法 对２０例孕１６￣３６周,有产前诊断指征者,在Ｂ超引导下经腹抽取羊水后,应用Ｘ、Ｙ、１８号染色体着丝粒探针１３ｑ１４－ｑ２１和２１ｑ１１特异性探讨,对未培养的羊水间期细胞进行ＦＩＳＨ,然后用荧光显微镜进行观察,并用Ａｐｐｌｉｅｄ ｉｍａｇｉｎｇ染色体     

Usefulness of fluorescence in situ hybridization for the diagnosis of Turner mosaic fetuses with small ring X chromosomes

OBJECTIVE: To emphasize the usefulness of fluorescence in situ hybridization (FISH) techniques on uncultured amniocytes for the diagnosis of abnormal mosaic karyotypes. METHODS: In the course of three prenatal diagnoses, specific fluorescent probes, coding, respectively, for chromosomes X, Y, 18, 13, and 21, were applied on amniocyte preparations directly after amniocentesis. At least 50 nuclei were counted in each case. Parallel to the FISH procedure, cell cultures were set up in order to obtain karyotypes. FISH and cytogenetic results were then compared. RESULTS: In each case, FISH showed an abnormal mosaic chromosomal constitution, 45,X/46,XX, which was related to the existence of tiny ring X chromosomes in karyotypes. CONCLUSION: Because very small ring X chromosomes can escape identification when standard cytogenetic techniques are used alone, we show that misdiagnosis can be avoided when FISH is performed beforehand.     

Primary amenorrhea in a woman with a cryptic complex chromosome rearrangement involving the critical regions Xp11.2 and Xq24

OBJECTIVE: To characterize a complex chromosome rearrangement (CCR) previously detected by G-banding in peripheral blood lymphocytes, as 46,X,-2,-11,-22,-X,+mar 1+mar2+mar3+mar4 in a patient with primary amenorrhea. DESIGN: Case report. SETTING: University faculty of Medicine and hospital. PATIENT(S): A 36-year-old woman with primary amenorrhea. INTERVENTION(S): Fluorescence in situ hybridization (FISH). MAIN OUTCOME MEASURE(S): Use of commercially available M-FISH probe (24 colors simultaneously) and whole chromosome painting probes for chromosomes 2, 11, 22, and X to characterize the CCR. RESULT(S): The use of conventional and multiple FISH allowed the redefinition of the CCR, showing a cryptic insertion of chromosome 11 in marker 3 previously suspected by M-FISH. The combination of G-banding and FISH data revealed that four chromosomes and seven breakpoints, including 2q21, 2q31, 11q22.1, 11q22.3, 22q13.3, Xp11.21, and Xq24, were implicated in this CCR. CONCLUSION(S): This report confirms the importance of a combination of G-banding and FISH (M-FISH and conventional FISH) techniques to characterize the de novo CCR. These techniques also were useful in defining two possible critical chromosome regions, Xp11.21 and Xq24, in which genes of potential interest for a primary amenorrhea could be located.     

Role of FISH on uncultured amniocytes for the diagnosis of aneuploidies in the presence of fetal anomalies

OBJECTIVE: To assess the accuracy of fluorescent in situ hybridization (FISH) on amniocytes in fetuses affected by structural malformations suggestive of chromosomal anomalies. METHODS: FISH of uncultured amniotic fluid cells and conventional cytogenetic analysis were performed on 48 pregnancies with ultrasonographic (US) evidence of fetal anomalies. The AneuVysion assay (Vysis) with specific probes for chromosomes 13, 18, 21, X and Y, was used. Amniotic fluid samples were obtained between the 14th and 34th weeks of gestation. RESULTS: In cases with a single abnormal US finding (n = 15), 5 aneuploidies were detected (1 case of trisomy 13 and 4 of trisomy 21). In the group with two or more malformations (n = 33) there were 15 aneuploidies (9 cases of trisomy 18, 2 of trisomy 21, 2 monosomy X, 1 trisomy 13, and 1 triploidy). In this group, conventional cytogenetic analysis revealed two additional chromosomal anomalies not detectable by FISH (1 trisomy 16 mosaic, and a terminal deletion 4p). No sex aneuploidies were observed. CONCLUSIONS: The lack of false-positive diagnosis in the FISH analysis in our sample prompts us to consider interphase FISH as a useful tool in pregnancies at high risk for chromosomal aneuploidies. When FISH analysis is normal, the overall risk of chromosomal abnormalities is significantly reduced. However, the finding of two chromosomal anomalies undetectable by AneuVysion assay confirms the need for conventional chromosome analysis to complement FISH results. Moreover, the results collected here, in agreement with those already reported in the literature, indicate that FISH analysis on uncultured amniocytes can play an important role in counselling and decision-making, especially in cases at risk for aneuploidies, such as those with structural abnormalities at US.