Fetal gender determination in early pregnancy using PCR analysis of maternal serum

Non-invasive methods using maternal plasma and serum for molecular genetic diagnosis have become an important field of interest in prenatal genetic diagnosis. Free fetal DNA in maternal plasma and serum has been shown to be useful for fetal gender determination, and seems to offer a new possibility to perform non-invasive prenatal genetic diagnosis. Peripheral blood samples were obtained from 25 pregnant women selected at random. All of the pregnant women underwent blood sampling at gestational ages ranging from 9 weeks + 2 days to 12 weeks + 4 days. Maternal serum was used to detect the Y-chromosome specific sequence DYS14. 40 cycles of PCR were carried out for each DNA extract. The PCR products were analyzed by 2.5% agarose gel electrophoresis and ethidium bromide staining and the results were compared with the results of ultrasound scanning at 21 weeks gestation. Ultrasound scan revealed that 13 of the pregnant women were carrying a male fetus and the remaining 12 pregnant women were carrying a female fetus. PCR analysis of maternal serum of all the women participating in the study was identical to the results obtained by Ultrasound scan PCR analysis of maternal serum can be used successfully with 100% accuracy to diagnose fetal gender in maternal serum in normal single pregnancies

Gasless laparoscopy: one year experience at Ain Shams University

To evaluate one year experience of the gasless laparoscopy technique using the whole abdominal wall-lifting method. Prospective observation study over one year. The Ain Shams University Obstetrics and Gynecology Hospital. In a one year period fifteen cases underwent gas-less laparoscopic procedure for different indications: Nine cases for diagnostic infertility purposes and six cases for operative laparoscopy. The operative laparoscopy cases included 2 cases for adhesiolysis, 2 cases for laparoscopic assisted vaginal hysterectomy [LAVH], one case for missed intrauterine contraceptive device [IUCD] retrieval and one for ovarian cystectomy during pregnancy. All operations were performed successfully with gasless technique except 2 cases. One of them had laparoconversion to pneumoperitoneum. The other one had her LAVH completed through a laparotomy. There were no recorded surgical complications in the remaining 13 cases who were completed by gasless technique. There were uneventful postoperative recovery periods. The preliminary experience of gasless laparoscopy in the first year of introduction of abdominal wall lifting procedures in our institute seems to be encouraging. Continued modifications and training are mandatory to delineate the full range of benefit of this technique