Embryo quality and chromosomal abnormality in embryos from couples undergoing assisted reproductive technology using preimplantation genetic screening

Objective:To detect common chromosomal aneuploidy variations in embryos from couples undergoing assisted reproductive technology and preimplantation genetic screening and their possible associations with embryo quality.Methods:In this study,359 embryos from 62 couples were screened for chromosomes 13,21,18,X,and Y by fluorescence insitu hybridization.For biopsy of blastomere,a laser was used to remove a significantly smaller portion of the zona pellucida.One blastomere was gently biopsied by an aspiration pipette through the hole.After biopsy,the embryo was immediately returned to the embryo scope until transfer.Embryo integrity and blastocyst formation were assessed on day 5.Results:Totally,282 embryos from 62 couples were evaluated.The chromosomes were normal in 199(70.57%)embryos and abnormal in 83(29.43%)embryos.There was no significant association between the quality of embryos and numerical chromosomal abnormality(P=0.67).Conclusions:Embryo quality is not significantly correlated with its genetic status.Hence,the quality of embryos determined by morphological parameters is not an appropriate method for choosing embryos without these abnormalities.

Rapid Diagnosis with FISH for Chromosomal Abnormality of Fetal Pyelectasia

Fluorescence in situ Hybridization （FISH） was used to investigate whether the chromosome of the fetus prenatally diagnosed as pyelectasis was normal or not. Amniotic fluid was taken from the pregnant woman whose fetus was detected with pyelectasia by prenatal examination. The chromosome of the amniotic fluid cell without culture was examined with FISH. The result shows that compared with the traditional amniotic fluid cell culture, FISH has the advantages of more rapid, higher sensitivity and specificity, and was 10-12 days earlier to complete the diagnosing than the traditional method. The fetuses detected chromosomal abnormality in each groups were induced during the middle and late trimester, while those fetuses with normal chromosome continued pregnancy, the rate of spontaneous disappearance of pyelectasia decreased as the severity of pyelectasia increased. FISH can satisfy the urgent need in the clinical prenatal diagnosis due to its rapidity to determine whether fetus with pyelectasia was accompanied with chromosomal.

High Expression of hsMAD2 in the Villi of Spontaneously Aborted Embryo with Chromosomal Abnormality

Objective: To investigate the changes of hsMAD2 protein and gene expression levels during chromosome segregation of human embryos. Method: The embryos of spontaneous abortion were collected in our hospital from 2009 to 2013, the chromosomal numbers of the embryonic villi were subsequently detected by fluorescence in situ hybridization (FISH). The patients were then divided into the normal and abnormal groups based on the chromosome number. The hsMAD2 protein and gene expression levels in the villi tissues of the two embryo groups were detected by western blotting and qRT-PCR, respectively. The hsMAD2 protein and gene levels in the embryonic villus tissue of the patient were detected. Results: From 2009 to 2013, we collected 50 embryos from spontaneous abortion patients. The chromosome abnormality and no abnormality were 36 cases (abnormal number of 28 cases (56.0%) and chimerism in 8 cases (16.0%)) and 14 cases (28.0%), respectively. The expression of hsmad2 protein and its gene in the villi of spontaneously aborted embryo with chromosomal abnormality in the abnormal group was significantly higher than that in those without chromosomal abnormalities (0.88 ± 0.20 vs 0.61 ± 0.19, P < 0.05), (23.46 ± 0.07 vs 18.35 ± 0.10, P < 0.05). Conclusion: Abnormal number of chromosomes is closely related to spontaneous abortion Linked, hsMAD2 factor has a card effect on the cell cycle, can block the mitotic process of cells, and play an important role in maintaining the normal separation and stability of chromosomes.

High-grade serous carcinoma of the fallopian tube in a young woman with chromosomal 4q abnormality:A case report

BACKGROUND Few studies have reported an association between an increased risk of acquiring cancers and survival in patients with 4q deletion syndrome.This study presents a rare association between chromosome 4q abnormalities and fallopian tube highgrade serous carcinoma(HGSC)in a young woman.CASE SUMMARY A 35-year-old woman presented with acute dull abdominal pain and a known chromosomal abnormality involving 4q13.3 duplication and 4q23q24 deletion.Upon arrival at the emergency room,her abdomen appeared ovoid and distended with palpable shifting dullness.Ascites were identified through abdominal ultrasound,and computed tomography revealed an omentum cake and an enlarged bilateral adnexa.Blood tests showed elevated CA-125 levels.Paracentesis was conducted,and immunohistochemistry indicated that the cancer cells favored an ovarian origin,making us suspect ovarian cancer.The patient underwent debulking surgery,which led to a diagnosis of stage IIIC HGSC of the fallopian tube.Subsequently,the patient received adjuvant chemotherapy with carboplatin and paclitaxel,resulting in stable current condition.CONCLUSION This study demonstrates a rare correlation between a chromosome 4q abnormality and HGSC.UBE2D3 may affect crucial cancer-related pathways,including P53,BRCA,cyclin D,and tyrosine kinase receptors,thereby possibly contributing to cancer development.In addition,ADH1 and DDIT4 may be potential influencers of both carcinogenic and therapeutic responses.

Do specific ultrasonography features identified at the time of early pregnancy loss predict fetal chromosomal abnormality? e A systematic review and meta-analysis

To investigate the association of specific ultrasonography features identified during the diagnosis of early pregnancy loss(EPL)and abnormal karyotype.This was a systematic review and meta-analysis conducted in accordance with PRISMA criteria.We searched PubMed,Cochrane and Ovid MEDLINE from 1977 to Jan 2017 to identify the articles that described EPL with karyotype and ultrasonography features.Risk differences were pooled to estimate the chromosomal abnormality rates in ultrasonography features,including pre-embryonic,enlarged yolk sac(YS),short crown rump length(CRL),small gestational sac(GS),symmetrical arrested growth embryo,or gestational sac with only a YS.Quality assessment of included studies was performed using Strengthening the Reporting of Observational Studies in Epidemiology(STROBE)checklists for Observational Studies(2007 version).Thirteen studies were included in the meta-analysis.Chromosomal abnormality was more likely to occur in embryonic EPL and enlarged YS.On the other hand,short CRL,small GS,symmetrical arrested growth embryo,or gestational sac with only a YS,were not associated with an increased risk of fetal chromosomal abnormality.Ultrasonography features at the time of diagnosis of EPL have limited predictive value of fetal chromosomal abnormality.

Correlation between Reasons for Prescription and Karyotype Results in Patients Referred for Suspected Chromosomal Abnormalities

Karyotype prescription is based on clinical signs (or reasons for karyotype prescription) which are phenotypic manifestations associated with chromosomal abnormalities. The aim of this study was to establish a correspondence between karyotype indications and their results in patients. This was a retrospective study that was carried out in the Histology-Embryology-Cytogenetics laboratory of the University Hospital of Cocody-Abidjan from 2014 to 2019. 58 patient files were identified and included the indication or reason for prescribing a constitutional karyotype and the biological result obtained. An individual data sheet was used to collect the data. 17 reasons for prescription were identified and divided into 2 groups. Sexual ambiguity was the most frequent reason (29.3%). The first group (G1) represented the 10 reasons for which the karyotype results were normal. The second group (G2) corresponded of the 7 motives with normal or abnormal karyotype results. Several anomalies were listed according to these reasons: inversions, mosaics (anomalies of number and structure) and trisomy 21. The last was the most frequent chromosomal anomaly (69.24%). It was found in several reasons for karyotype prescription: malformations, neurological disorders, suspected trisomy and cardiac pathology. Several factors could explain these results, among which are the limits of the karyotype and the non-genetic causes that can induce these abnormal phenotypes. Complementary examinations to the karyotype are molecular cytogenetic techniques, notably fluorescence in situ hybridization (FISH) and array comparative genomic hybridization (Array-CGH).

Application of dual color fluorescence in situ hybridiza tion (D-FISH) to the diagnosis of a 49, XXXXY chromo somal abnormality

To study the technique of D-FISH and its application in the diagnosis of a 49, XXXXY chromosomal abnormality. Methods: Biotin-labeled alpha satellite X chromosome DNA (pBamX7) probe and digoxi-genin-labeled Y chromosome long arm terminal repetitive sequence (pY3.4) probe in situ hybridized with pre-treated slides of peripheral blood chromosome and interphase nucleus. After washing, the slides were treated with avidin-FITC, rhodamine-FITC and anti-avidin, amplified with an additional layer and counter-stained with DAPI in an antifade solution. The hy bridization signals and chromosomal or interphase nucleus settings were observed respectively with WIB, WIG and WU filters under fluorescent microscope (Olympus AX-70) and the number of metaphase chromosome and interphase nucleus in the peripheral blood was counted. Results: The biotin-labeled pBamX7 probe showed 4 green hybridization signal and the digoxigenin-labeled pY3.4 probe showed 1 red hybridization signal. The chromosome or cytoplasm counter-stained with DAPI showed blue. The positive rate of X chromosome hybridization signal for the 350 metaphase chromosomes and interphase nucleus was 91.43 % and 92. 57 %, respectively, while that of the Y chromosome hybridization signal was 99.5 % and 99.8 %, respectively. Conclusion: D-FISH is a valuable technique in diagnosing 49, XXXXY chromosomal abnormality and other sex chromosomal abnormalities. [Reprod Contracep (in Chinese) 2002; 22: 287]

Phenotypic and cytogenetic features of an Iranian child with tetrasomy 18p syndrome:A case report

BACKGROUND Tetrasomy 18p is a rare chromosome abnormality disorder known to have consid-erable variability in clinical features and gathering data from different cases will help clinicians and researchers learn about its genotype-phenotype relationship and diagnosis.CASE SUMMARY Herein,we have reviewed the literature on phenotypic features of this disorder and described the phenotypic and cytogenetic features of a girl of early childhood with tetrasomy 18p for the first time from Iran.This patient showed a strong sense of smell(a unique feature not reported previously for this syndrome),had clenched hand,pes planus,forward head posture in walking and hirsutism(dysmorphic features less reported),and showed 10 clinical features that are generally observed in previously reported cases,including developmental delay/intellectual disability,triangular face,smooth philtrum,feeding difficulties,hypotonia,epicanthus,strabismus,history of constipation,growth retardation and foot anomalies.G-banding chromosome analysis from peripheral blood revealed an abnormal female karyotype with a small marker chromosome(47,XX,+mar),and oligo-array comparative genomic hybridization displayed a gain of 14Mb of the 18p arm containing 56 Online Mendelian Inheritance in Man(OMIM)genes in this patient.Overall,this patient seems to have mild phenotypes.CONCLUSION This Iranian tetrasomy 18p child displays a uniquely strong sense of smell,some less reported dysmorphic features and ten features generally reported.

Implications of Cytogenetic Abnormalities and Azoospermia Factor Microdeletions in Assisted Procreation

Assisted procreation techniques have revolutionized the management of infertility and have offered hope to millions of infertile couples. The main aim of these procedures is to produce healthy offspring. However recent studies on short term outcome of ART have reported a higher incidence of low birth weight, development delay, imprinting defects, sex and autosomal structural abnormalities, major and minor congenital malformation and certain cancers in babies conceived via ART. Further the health of ART conceived children beyond the neonatal period have been less well evaluated. A large number of infertile couples opting for ART have an underlying genetic aetiology. These genetic aberrations are iatrogenitically transmitted via ART. Thus it is important that all couples undergo a detailed and comprehensive genetic evaluation prior to ART.

FISH studies of chromosome abnormalities in germ cells and its relevance in reproductive counseling

Chromosome abnormalities are one of the major causes of human infertility. In infertile males, abnormal karyotypes are more frequent than in the general population. Furthermore, meiotic disorders affecting the germ cell-line have been observed in men with normal somatic karyotypes consulting for infertility. In both cases, the production of unbalanced spermatozoa has been demonstrated. Basically addressed to establish reproductive risks, fluorescence in situ hybridization （FISH） on decondensed sperm heads has become the most frequently used method to evaluate the chromosomal constitution of spermatozoa in carriers of numerical sex chromosome abnormalities, carriers of structural chromosome reorganizations and infertile males with normal karyotype. The aim of this review is to present updated figures of the information obtained through sperm FISH studies with an emphasis on its clinical significance. Furthermore, the incorporation of novel FISH-based techniques （Multiplex-FISH; Multi-FISH） in male infertility studies is also discussed. （Asian J Androl 2005 Sep; 7： 227-236）

MACS-annexin V cell sorting of semen samples with high TUNEL values decreases the concentration of cells with abnormal chromosomal content:a pilot study

We question whether,in men with an abnormal rate of sperm DNA fragmentation,the magnetic-activated cell sorting(MACS)could select spermatozoa with lower rates of DNA fragmentation as well as spermatozoa with unbalanced chromosome content.Cryopreserved spermatozoa from six males were separated into nonapoptotic and apoptotic populations.We determined the percentages of spermatozoa with(i)externalization of phosphatidylserine(EPS)by annexin V-Fluorescein isothiocyanate(FITC)labeling,(ii)DNA fragmentation by TdT-mediated-dUTP nick-end labeling(TUNEL),and(iii)numerical abnormalities for chromosomes X,Y,13,18,and 21 by fluorescence in situ hybridization(FISH),on the whole ejaculate and selected spermatozoa in the same patient.Compared to the nonapoptotic fraction,the apoptotic fraction statistically showed a higher number of spermatozoa with EPS,with DNA fragmentation,and with numerical chromosomal abnormalities.Compared to the whole ejaculate,we found a significant decrease in the percentage of spermatozoa with EPS and decrease tendencies of the DNA fragmentation rate and the sum of disomy levels in the nonapoptotic fraction.Conversely,we observed statistically significant higher rates of these three parameters in the apoptotic fraction.MACS may help to select spermatozoa with lower rates of DNA fragmentation and unbalanced chromosome content in men with abnormal rates of sperm DNA fragmentation.

Cytogenetic analysis in 61 couples with spontaneous abortions

Objective To examine the relationship between spontaneous abortion and chromosomal abnormalities.Methods Couples who had one or more consecutive spontaneous abortions and had normal genitals were enrolled for cytogenetic karyotype analysis. Results In the 61 couples, the detected incidence was 11.5%, with five Robertsonian translocations, one reciprocal translocation, and one pericentric inversion of chromosome 7. Conclusion Chromosomal abnormalities may play an important role in fetal wastage.

Recent Progress in Identifying Genetic and Epigenetic Contributions to Epilepsy

Epilepsy is a serious disorder of the central nervous system characterized by recurrent seizures. There are many known causes of epilepsy, including genetic factors, brain damage, and environmental factors, but the pathogenic mechanisms are largely unknown. Numerous factors, including genetic mutations, brain damage, and environmental insults, have been implicated in the etiology of epilepsy, but the cause for individual epilepsy patients is often unknown. Research on inherited forms of epilepsy has identified mutations in genes encoding ion channels or neurotransmitter receptors. Family?based studies of inherited forms of epilepsy have previously identified mutations in genes encoding ion channels and neurotransmitter receptors. With a deepening understanding of the underlying cellular pathways, researchers have identified epilepsy candidate genes that function in synaptic vesicle trafficking, chromatin remodeling, transcription, and mammalian target of rapamycin(mTOR) signaling. More recently, genes involved in synaptic vesicle transport, chromatin remodeling, and transcription, as well as the mTOR signaling pathway, have also been implicated in inherited forms of the disorder. In addition, recent advances in DNA sequencing and genomic technologies have identified chromosomal copy number variants and epigenetic modifications as possible contributing factors in inherited epilepsy. In this review, we focus on the established and potential contributions of genes, chromosomal abnormalities, and epigenetic modifications to the development of epilepsy.

Reproductive medicine and congenital heart disease

With the development of medical genetics,reproductive medicine has made considerable contributions to treatment of birth defects,a reduction in the incidence of birth defects,implementation of eugenics and fertility,and improvement of population quality.Congenital heart disease is a common birth defect and is the most serious among all birth defect diseases and seriously endangers the physical and mental health of children in China.In this article,we review the latest research progress of congenital heart disease in the field of reproduction.

Spectrum of Cytogenomic Abnormalities Revealed by Array Comparative Genomic Hybridization on Products of Conception Culture Failure and Normal Karyotype Samples

Approximately 30% of pregnancies after implantation end up in spontaneous abortions, and 50% of them are caused by chromosomal abnormalities. However, the spectrum of genomic copy number variants （CNVs） in products of conception （POC） and the underlying gene- dosage-sensitive mechanisms causing spontaneous abortions remain largely unknown. In this study, array comparative genornic hybridiza- tion （aCGH） analysis was performed as a salvage procedure for 128 POC culture failure （POC-CF） samples and as a supplemental procedure for 106 POC normal karyotype （POC-NK） samples. Chromosomal abnormalities were detected in 10% of POC-CF and pathogenic CNVs were detected in 3.9% of POC-CF and 5.7% of POC-NK samples. Compiled results from this study and relevant case series through a literature review demonstrated an abnormality detection rate （ADR） of 35% for chromosomal abnormalities in POC-CF samples, 3.7% for pathogenic CNVs in POC-CF samples, and 4.6% for pathogenic CNVs in POC-NK samples. Ingenuity Pathway Analysis （IPA） was performed on the genes from pathogenic CNVs found in POC samples. The denoted primary gene networks suggested that apoptosis and cell proliferation pathways are involved in miscarriage. In summary, a similar spectrum of cytogenomic abnormalities was observed in POC culture success and POC-CF samples. A threshold effect correlating the number of dosage-sensitive genes in a chromosome with the observed frequency of autosomai trisomy is proposed. A rationalized approach using firstly fluorescence in situ hybridization （FISH） testing with probes of chromosomes X/Y/ 18, 13/21, and 15/16/22 for common aneuploidies and polyploidies and secondly aCGH for other cytogenomic abnormalities is recommended for POC-CF samples.

Double trisomy 48,XXX,+18 with multiple dysmorphic features

Background:Chromosomal abnormality is a common cause of congenital anomalies,psychiatric disorders,and mental retardation.However,the double trisomy 48,XXX,+18 is a rare chromosome abnormality.Methods:Case report and literature review.Results:A 7-hour-old girl presented to our unit because of poor response after birth.She presented with multiple dysmorphic features,including small for gestational age infant,flat nasal bridge,widely-spaced eyes,the left thumb deformities,flat facial profile,raised sternum,ventricular septal defect,the third lateral brain ventricle enlargement,and small liver.This case expands the spectrum of malformations reported in association with the double trisomy 48,XXX,+18.The literature on 16 fetuses or infants with the 48,XXX,+18 were also reviewed.Conclusion:These data suggested that in patients with clinical features similar to trisomy 18,especially with anomalies of the ears and/or reproductive malformations,double trisomy(48,XXX,+18)should be considered and karyotyping should be performed although it is a rare disease.

Cytogenetic Study on Couples with a History of Reproductive Failure in China

Objective To investigate the incidence of chromosome abnormalities in couples with reproductive failure in China and explore the relationship between chromosome abnormalities and reproductive failure.Methods A total of 2 158 couples with reproductive failure were enrolled. Lymphocyte culture and harvest were performed according to standard methods. Karyotypes were analyzed by G-banding in all cases and C-banding or R-banding in some cases if necessary.Results Altogether 137 abnormal karyotypes were found and the chromosomal abnormality rate was 3.17%. Among them 3 were numeral abnormalities, 134 were structural aberrations including 90 cases of reciprocal translocations, 34 cases of Roertsonian translocations, 9 cases of inversions, 1 case of deletion： and 43 kinds of which were identified as the first reported karyotypes in world by the National Teaching Center of Medical Cytogenetics in Hunan, China. Totally 378 chromosome heteromorphisms were also detected and the rate was 8.76%.Conclusion Structural aberrations were the major abnormal karyotypes in couples with reproductive failure. Reciprocal and Robertsonian translocations occupied the largest proportions in structural aberrations, and a tendency that the rate of chromosome aberration increases with the times of miscarriages was presented. In addition, heteromorphism rate of chromosomes was high in such patients. Chromosome analysis is an important and necessary part of the etiological research in couples with reproductive failure.