NON-INVASIVE PRENATAL GENETIC DIAGNOSIS USING TRANSCERVICAL CELLS

摘要

A non-invasive, risk-free method of prenatal diagnosis is provided. According to the method of the present invention cell specimens are subjected to molecular and morphological methods which allow trophoblast identification. Trophoblasts identified according to the teachings of the present invention can be further examined to thereby prenatally diagnosing a fetus. Also provided is a method of in situ chromosomal, DNA and/or RNA analysis of a prestained specimen by incubating the prestained specimen in ammonium hydroxide. Also provided is a method of identifying embryonic cells according to a nucleus/cytoplasm ratio of at least 0.3 and the presence of at least variably condensed chromatin.