DNA flow cytometric quantification and DNA polymorphism analysis in the case of a complete mole with a coexisting fetus

Purpose: Our purpose was to investigate whether DNA flow cytometric quantif ication and DNA polymorphism analysis are useful for cytogenetic diagnosis in the case of a complete hydatidiform mole that coexists with a living fet us. Methods: Flow, cytometric analysis of the nuclear DNA content and polymeras e chain reaction (PCR) amplification of the minisatellite locus with the MC T118 probe were performed on the tissues (fetus, placenta and mole) obtaine d at the initial evacuation. Results: DNA histograms of placental, fetal, and molar tissues showed diplo id peaks, PCR products demonstrated that the allele of the mole was homozyg ous and inherited solely from the husband and that the mole differed geneti cally from the fetus and the placenta. Conclusions: These results suggested that DNA flow cytometry and DNA polymo rphism analysis may be useful for the cytogenetic diagnosis of a complete h ydatidiform mole and a coexisting fetus.