Fluorescent in situ hybridization: an effective and less costly technique for genetic evaluation of products of conception in pregnancy losses.
OBJECTIVE
In this study, we applied the fluorescent in situ hybridization (FISH) technique and compared the common numerical abnormalities with chromosomes 13, 16, 18, 21, X, and Y in spontaneous to artificial abortion. This would cover about 75% of the common aneuploidy in spontaneous abortion.


METHODS
Placentas were taken from 59 patients with a first trimester spontaneous abortion and 61 patients who underwent an elective first trimester pregnancy termination. The range of growth was from 5 to 12 gestational weeks. Placentas were processed according to direct chorionic villi preparation. Direct dual color FISH was performed according to Vysis protocol with the probes for the following chromosomes: 13, 16, 18, 21, X, and Y.


RESULTS
The aneuploidy rate in spontaneous abortion was 55.9% and in artificial abortion 8.2%. There was a significant difference between the two groups in the aneuploidy rate (P = 6 x 10(-9)).


CONCLUSIONS
FISH is a rapid, efficient, and relatively inexpensive tool in detecting aneuploidy in placentas from cases of spontaneous abortions. Our rate of detected aneuploidy is compatible with other reports in which conventional cytogenetics was utilized.
Fejgin
Moshe D
MD
Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Meir Hospital, Sackler School of Medicine, Kfar-Saba 44281, Israel.
Pomeranz
Meir
M
Liberman
Meytal
M
Fishman
Ami
A
Amiel
Aliza
A
D000028:Abortion, Induced; D000022:Abortion, Spontaneous / Q000235:genetics*; D000328:Adult; D000782:Aneuploidy; D016022:Case-Control Studies; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D017404:In Situ Hybridization, Fluorescence; D008423:Maternal Age; D008875:Middle Aged; D010920:Placenta / Q000737:chemistry* / Q000473:pathology; D011247:Pregnancy; D011261:Pregnancy Trimester, First