Chromosome analysis in spontaneous pregnancy loss: Use of placental villus mesodermal core cell cultures

Culture of placental villus mesodermal core cells, a method developed for chorionic villus sampling, was used for cytogenetic analysis in 168 spontaneous pregnancy losses. Successful karyotype results were obtained in 72% of cases and 87.5% of cases in which placental tissue was available. Culture of placental villus mesodermal core cells is useful in the evaluation of spontaneous pregnancy loss, particularly when tissues of direct fetal origin are unavailable or unsuitable for culture. Details of culture and specimen handling techniques are provided.