Microsatellite mutations in spontaneously aborted embryos.
OBJECTIVE
To evaluate the incidence of microsatellite instability in spontaneously aborted embryos.


METHODS
Retrospective study.


METHODS
Laboratory of Clinical Virology and Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, University Hospital, Medical School, University of Crete.


METHODS
Thirty-five women in whom spontaneous abortions occurred between the 6th and 20th weeks of pregnancy.


METHODS
Thirty-five aborted embryonic tissues were analyzed with seven microsatellite markers, and their haplotypes were compared with the corresponding pattern of their parents.


METHODS
Microsatellite DNA.


RESULTS
Microsatellite instability was observed in 8 of 35 cases (23%). In 7 of 8 positive cases, microsatellite instability was restricted to one of the seven microsatellite markers, whereas in one case, three microsatellite markers were affected by instability. A statistically significant association was found between microsatellite instability and a previous normal childbirth.


CONCLUSIONS
Genetic instability is a detectable phenomenon in spontaneous abortions, representing a significant increase in the mutational rate of the embryo and providing evidence for a mechanism associated with the phenomenon of spontaneous abortion. We conclude that this elevated mutational rate affects active genomic sequences that play a critical role in the viability of the embryo, leading to cell death and abortion.
Spandidos
D A
DA
University Hospital, Medical School, University of Crete, Heraklion, Greece. spandido@hol.gr
Koumantakis
E
E
Sifakis
S
S
Sourvinos
G
G
D000022:Abortion, Spontaneous / Q000235:genetics*; D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D005260:Female; D018740:Genetic Heterogeneity; D006239:Haplotypes; D006801:Humans; D018895:Microsatellite Repeats; D009154:Mutation; D016133:Polymerase Chain Reaction; D011247:Pregnancy; D011261:Pregnancy Trimester, First; D011262:Pregnancy Trimester, Second; D012189:Retrospective Studies