Objective: To isolate fetal nucleated red blood cells (NRBCs) from maternal blood and to confirm its fetal origin.
Methods: Monoclonal antibody against the glycophorin A (GPA) was used to identify nucleated erythrocytes in the peripheral blood of pregnant women. Candidates fetal cells from 3 pregnancies at 16 to 24 weeks of gestation were isolated successfully. Sorted cells were also confirmed using Y-special probe (PY3.4) repeated sequences (SRY) in maternal blood from women carrying male fetuses were detected by polymerase chain reaction (PCR).
Results: The PY3.4 position hybridization rates were 31.5%, 0 and 38% respectively in sorted GPA positive cells (GPA+)of 3 samples by FISH, and the results of GPA+ cells of the 3 cases by PCR were positive, negative and positive respectively, which were manifested by the gender after aborticide.
Conclusion: This study demonstrates that fetal NRBCs are present in the peripheral blood of pregnant women and it is possible to isolate and detect them.