title: SRY sequence in maternal plasma: Implications for non-invasive prenatal diagnosis: First report from India.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  The presence of circulatory cell-free fetal DNA in maternal plasma has found new applications in non-invasive risk-free prenatal diagnosis.
  
  
  METHODS
  We made use of a size separation approach along with real time polymerase chain reaction (PCR) to evaluate the use of fetal DNA in the detection of the sex of the fetus. Cell-free fetal DNA was isolated from the plasma of 30 women (10-20 weeks gestation) using a size separation approach. We made use of Taq Man Chemistry and real time PCR using primers and probes for GAPDH and SRY.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Only 24 cases could be studied as there was no amplification in six cases. Fetal sex was accurately determined in all of the 24 cases wherein 19 women were carrying male fetuses and five women were carrying female fetuses. An increase in the amount of fetal DNA was observed with an increase in the gestational age.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Real time PCR analysis is a highly sensitive and accurate tool for non-invasive prenatal diagnosis, allowing detection of the sex of the fetus as early as 10 weeks of gestation. Non-invasive prenatal diagnosis eliminates the risk of fetal loss associated with the invasive procedure.
authors: National Institute of Immunohaematology (ICMR), New Multistoried Building, K.E.M. Hospital Campus, Parel, Mumbai, India.
authors: Edna
authors: E
authors: D'Souza
authors: Sona
authors: S
authors: Nair
authors: Anita
authors: A
authors: Nadkarni
authors: Kanjaksha
authors: K
authors: Ghosh
authors: Roshan B
authors: RB
authors: Colah