The use of fluorescent in-situ hybridization (FISH) for the analysis of in-vitro fertilization embryos: A diagnostic tool for the infertile couple

We use triple colour fluorescent in-situ hybridization (FISH) to sex human embryos for preimplantation diagnosis of X-linked disease, to analyse chromosome numbers in embryos donated for research purposes and as a diagnostic tool for patients undergoing infertility treatment, especially in cases where abnormal embryo development occurs, We have reported on the use of FISH in a case where all embryos showed accelerated cleavage, Here we report on the use of triple colour FISH in a case where five out of seven oocytes were multi-nucleated when examined for pronuclei, The embryos were spread whole using HCl/Tween 20 and triple colour FISH performed with probes for chromosomes X, Y and 1 in a 2 h procedure. Two embryos were normal for the probes used, and three showed abnormalities, including one 4-cell embryo where all nuclei were X, X, X, Y, 1, 1, 1, 1, FISH indicated that fertilization had occurred, but that the majority of embryos were abnormal confirming that such embryos should not be considered for transfer, In these cases, or where there is recurrent in-vitro fertilization failure or spontaneous abortions, embryos in future cycles can be examined using FISH to ascertain the level of chromosome abnormality which may aid future infertility treatment.