What type of fetal cells are shed

The sac full of fluid protects the fetus, but most physicians thought of it as a kind of garbage bag into which the fetus urinates and sheds old cells. After some animal experiments, the researchers obtained samples of amniotic fluid from six pregnant women. The women had fluid removed during amniocentesis, a common procedure used to detect genetic and other abnormalities in a fetus.

Small samples of the fluid, a few hundredths of an ounce, yielded cells that easily grew into sheets of healthy tissue. The cells were seeded onto scaffolds of biodegradable material, where they grew into skinlike coverings.

Some of the cells taken from amniotic fluid are relatives of stem cells. They are the raw material of life. Fauza and Kaviani isolated so-called mesenchymal cells, uncommitted cells that form connective tissue used for many purposes, including attaching various organs to the abdominal wall. Given the right environment, or scaffolding, such cells can develop into bone, muscle, or cartilage.

Even heart defects are a possibility. We recently learned that muscle cells in fetal animals can be turned into heart cells. Perhaps the same thing can be done in humans. The researchers also work with connective tissue cells present in the placenta. Doctors sometimes use an invasive procedure called amniocentesis to gauge fetal health. It involves inserting a needle into the uterus to obtain a sample of fetal DNA. These tests work by picking up DNA and other genetic fragments such as messenger RNA mRNA from the placenta — an organ that develops out of the embryo and therefore contains the same genes as the baby itself.

However, genetic fragments from the placenta cannot provide a full picture of fetal development. This is because the pattern of gene activity varies from one organ to another. Maron sampled blood from nine pregnant women before they underwent scheduled Caesarean sections. Immediately following the delivery, she and her colleagues took fetal blood from the umbilical cord.

The fetus quickly replaces this small amount of amniotic fluid. During an amniocentesis, most women feel some discomfort. It is usually not a painful procedure. Often the stress and anxiety in the days before the amniocentesis are said to be the worst thing about the test by many patients. After the amniocentesis, if the maternal blood group is negative, Anti-D is required within 72 hours.

Patients who have had an amniocentesis are advised to take it easy for hours. They are advised not to do any strenuous exercise or activity such as lifting or housework or picking up young children. It is common for women who have had amniocentesis to experience some cramping for several days for which panadol may be taken avoid aspirin as this can be associated with bleeding by thinning the blood.

FISH is usually available after two working days and is limited to looking at chromosome 21, 13, 18 and the sex chromosomes. Sometimes the lab will have technical difficulties and the FISH may fail. The lab will try and repeat the FISH but if this fails they will set up for the long-term culture. Long-term culture takes approximately days. Miscarriage will occur in or 0. There usually is no specific reason for this.

The procedure is relatively straightforward, although it does require proper training and experience and should only be done by experts who regularly perform amniocentesis.

The risk of miscarriage is brought about by the fact that a needle is being passed through the abdomen into the uterus. This is an unnatural thing to do and therefore carries the risk of causing the following that can lead to miscarriage:. Counselling prior to making the decision to have amniocentesis The decision to have an amniocentesis is often a difficult and stressful one to make. Issues you can expect to discuss will include: What is actually involved in the test itself Which test is most suitable for you amniocentesis or CVS How long the results will take If the result is abnormal, what dilemmas you may feel Is testing the right thing for you?

The limitations of amniocentesis Not all abnormalities can be diagnosed with amniocentesis. An abnormal result Most amniocentesis results will be normal. Amniocentesis procedure Before the amniocentesis procedure begins, an ultrasound procedure is performed to the determine: Gestational age of the pregnancy Number of fetuses Position of uterus Placental location Fetal anatomy Fetal pathology Location of a suitable pocket of amniotic fluid to sample The skin is cleaned with antiseptic solution and a sterile drape will be placed on the maternal abdomen.

Recovery from amniocentesis During an amniocentesis, most women feel some discomfort. It is common for women who have had amniocentesis to experience some cramping for several days for which panadol may be taken avoid aspirin as this can be associated with bleeding by thinning the blood Results FISH is usually available after two working days and is limited to looking at chromosome 21, 13, 18 and the sex chromosomes.