Analysis of the karyotype of spouses - the chance to become parents

Perhaps the happiest event for every married couple is the birth of a child. But, unfortunately, at present many people face the problem of impossibility of conception. The main cause is infertility of one of the spouses as a result of possible genetic disorders. This is due to a change in the structure of DNA molecules, when the number of chromosomes is disturbed, or under the influence of unfavorable environmental conditions, when other genetic mutations occur. To determine all these deviations and avoid the occurrence of problems in the future, it is important not only to test the pair for genetic compatibility, but the passage of a molecular-genetic examination.

Importance of identifying a karyotype of a spouse

One of the most important genetic studies in preparation for conception is an analysis of the karyotype of the spouses. Karyotype is a description of all signs of chromosomes that are carriers of DNA. This analysis allows you to identify genetic diseases or predict the possibility of their appearance in offspring. If one of the parents identifies an unfavorable set of chromosomes, there is a risk that the child may be born with a severe form of mental retardation or other illnesses. Human karyotype can not be altered, but with timely detection of abnormalities, methods are used to identify a karyotype in a fetus and the possibility of its treatment.

Also, there is a high probability of pregnancy disruption with chromosomal abnormalities. But due to the timely identification of the problem and the initial planning of pregnancy, there is a possibility of the birth of a healthy offspring. In cases where there is no possibility of treatment of one of the spouses, special donor programs have been created that help couples in the birth of a child.

After the karyotype of the spouses is determined, the diagnosis of chromosome syndromes is carried out - karyotyping. The results of such a diagnosis can determine the anomalies of fetal development due to structural rearrangements in the chromosome set of one of the parents. In most developed countries, such an analysis is mandatory before marriage. Of particular importance is the conduct of this analysis in families that can not conceive a child for a long time, or in cases where miscarriages have already occurred (an abortion was performed). To determine the karyotype of a woman in this case is the most important task. That is why conducting such tests is necessary and allows to avoid the birth of children with severe pathology.

Karyotype analysis

The procedure, which allows to determine the karyotype of the spouses, is completely painless and consists in the delivery of blood from the vein. The results are determined within two weeks and allow to reveal deviations in the structure of chromosomes and their number. With good results, the total number of chromosomes in a healthy person is 46, two of which are sexual and are defined as XY in men and XX in women. In common cases, chromosomal or gene mutations caused by pathological abnormalities lead to the impossibility of bearing a child and, as a consequence, to miscarriage or infertility.

From the blood taken in order to determine the karyotype of the spouses, the mononuclear leukocytes are screened, to which active cells that are able to divide are attached. At some point, the fission process is stopped, the cells are stained and enlarged and photographed using a microscope. Staining is performed with the help of various dyes (classical and spectral tests), which allows to get a visual representation of the complete set of chromosomes.

For best results in the diagnosis and treatment of infertility and other diseases, the best solution is to contact the reproductive medicine center. In such centers, the spouses can get the necessary consultations of experienced specialists, who will subsequently help to choose the right courses of treatment. The cost of analysis and treatment in such centers corresponds to the attention and convenience provided and is fully justified in achieving the stated goal - the birth of healthy offspring.