title: Possible effect of gestational age on the detection of fetal nucleated erythrocytes in maternal blood.
abstract: Maternal venous blood samples, obtained from six pregnant women, were used as a source of fetal nucleated erythrocytes (NRBC). Fetal cell enrichment was potentiated by flow sorting with the monoclonal antibodies TfR, Leu-4, and Leu-M3. Single copy Y chromosomal DNA sequences were detected in samples obtained from two women at 11 and 12 weeks' gestation. Y DNA sequences were absent in a subsequent sample from one of these women at 19 weeks and in two other women at 16 and 20 weeks. All four women delivered males. Y DNA sequences were not detected in two women who delivered females. By combining these results with prior data on the detection of Y chromosomal DNA sequences in maternal blood from male-bearing pregnancies, a relationship between gestational age and feto-maternal transfer of NRBC is suggested.
authors.affiliation: Division of Genetics, Children's Hospital, Boston, MA 02115.
authors.forename: D W
authors.initials: DW
authors.lastname: Bianchi
authors.forename: J E
authors.initials: JE
authors.lastname: Stewart
authors.forename: M F
authors.initials: MF
authors.lastname: Garber
authors.forename: G
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Lucotte
authors.forename: A F
authors.initials: AF
authors.lastname: Flint
mesh_terms: D000911:Antibodies, Monoclonal; D015139:Blotting, Southern; D004247:DNA / Q000032:analysis; D004912:Erythrocytes / Q000378:metabolism / Q000648:ultrastructure*; D005260:Female; D005312:Fetal Blood / Q000166:cytology*; D005434:Flow Cytometry; D005455:Fluorescent Antibody Technique; D005865:Gestational Age; D006801:Humans; D016133:Polymerase Chain Reaction; D011247:Pregnancy; D011296:Prenatal Diagnosis; D011990:Receptors, Transferrin / Q000096:biosynthesis; D012732:Sex Determination Analysis
chemical_list: D000911:Antibodies, Monoclonal; D011990:Receptors, Transferrin; D004247:DNA