Preimplantation diagnosis of repeated miscarriage due to chromosomal translocations using metaphase chromosomes of a blastomere biopsied from 4- to 6-cell-stage embryos.
OBJECTIVE
To evaluate the safety and accuracy of karyotyping the blastomere chromosomes at metaphase in the natural cell cycle for preimplantation diagnosis.


METHODS
A pilot study.


METHODS
A private infertility clinic and a university laboratory.


METHODS
Eleven patients undergoing IVF and preimplantation diagnosis.


METHODS
Intact human embryos at the 4- to 6-cell stage and human-mouse heterokaryons were cultured and checked hourly for disappearance of the nuclear envelope. After it disappeared, the metaphase chromosomes were analyzed by fluorescence in situ hybridization.


METHODS
Percentage of analyzable metaphase plates and safety and accuracy of the method.


RESULTS
The success rate of electrofusion to form human-mouse heterokaryons was 87.1% (27/31), and analyzable chromosomes were obtained from 77.4% (24/31) of the heterokaryons. On the other hand, disappearance of the nuclear envelope occurred in 89.5% (17/19) of the human embryos and it began earlier than that in the heterokaryons. Analyzable chromosomes were obtained and their translocation sites were identified in all blastomeres biopsied from the 17 embryos. After the biopsy, 67.0% of the embryos could develop to the blastocyst stage.


CONCLUSIONS
The natural cell cycle method reported herein requires frequent observation, but it is safe, with no artificial effects on the chromosomes and without loss of or damage to blastomeres, which occurred with the electrofusion method. Using the natural cell cycle method, we could perform preimplantation diagnosis with nearly 100% accuracy.
Tanaka
Atsushi
A
Saint Mother Obstetrics and Gynecology Clinic and Institute for Assisted Reproductive Technology, Fukuoka, Japan. incho@stmother.com
Nagayoshi
Motoi
M
Awata
Shoichiro
S
Mawatari
Yoshifumi
Y
Tanaka
Izumi
I
Kusunoki
Hiroshi
H
D000026:Abortion, Habitual / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000235:genetics; D000818:Animals; D001757:Blastomeres / Q000502:physiology; D002459:Cell Fusion; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008677:Metaphase / Q000235:genetics; D051379:Mice; D011247:Pregnancy; D019836:Preimplantation Diagnosis / Q000379:methods*; D013997:Time Factors; D014178:Translocation, Genetic; D015044:Zona Pellucida