Clinical investigation of chromosomal karyotype analysis in cells cultured from fetal bladder puncture liquid

The aim of this study was to investigate the feasibility of performing chromosomal karyotype analysis using cells cultured from fetal bladder puncture liquid (FBPL). Therefore, FBPL was extracted from 9 fetuses under ultrasonographic guidance, including 3 cases with fetal lower urinary tract obstruction (megabladder and oligohydramnios) and 6 cases with multiple malformations. The cells obtained from the FBPL were cultured in vitro for chromosome preparation and karyotype analysis. The cells from these 9 cases were all successfully cultured, and the chromosomal mitotic phases obtained could be used for counting and karyotype analysis. The gestational age ranged from 14 weeks and 2 days to 22 weeks, the amount of FBPL extracted was 30–55 ml, and the cell culture time ranged from 14 to 21 days. Eight cases in which the cells were subcultured exhibited 22–30 chromosomal mitotic phases, whereas 1 case without subculture showed 11 chromosomal mitotic phases. Cells obtained from the FBPL were successfully used for karyotype analysis following in vitro culture, thus demonstrating that prenatal fetal chromosome examination is possible in patients with a low gestational age, megabladder and oligohydramnios. These observations indicate that this technique has the potential to be used as a new prenatal diagnostic method.