Abstract: A non-invasive method of analyzing a genetic material of a fetus is provided. The method is achieved by detecting a cell-free nucleus in a sample such as a transcervical specimen obtained from a pregnant woman and/or detecting in a cell-free nucleus at least one fetal-nucleus specific marker thereby identifying a fetal nucleus; and molecularly analyzing the genetic material in the fetal nucleus, thereby analyzing the genetic material of the fetus.

Abstract: A non-invasive, risk-free method of prenatal diagnosis is provided. According to the method of the present invention transcervical specimens are subjected to trophoblast-specific immuno-staining followed by FISH, PRINS, Q-FISH and/or MCB analyses and/or other DNA-based genetic analysis in order to determine fetal gender and/or identify chromosomal and/or DNA abnormalities in a fetus. Also provided is a method of in situ chromosomal, DNA and/or RNA analysis of a prestained specimen by incubating the prestained specimen in ammonium hydroxide. Also provided is a method of identifying embryonic cells according to a nucleus/cytoplasm ratio of at least 1:1 and the presence of at least variably condensed chromatin.

Abstract: A non-invasive, risk-free method of prenatal diagnosis is provided. According to the method of the present invention cell specimens are subjected to molecular and morphological methods which allow trophoblast identification. Trophoblasts identified according to the teachings of the present invention can be further examined to thereby prenatally diagnosing a fetus. Also provided is a method of in situ chromosomal, DNA and/or RNA analysis of a prestained specimen by incubating the prestained specimen in ammonium hydroxide. Also provided is a method of identifying embryonic cells according to a nucleus/cytoplasm ratio of at least 0.3 and the presence of at least variably condensed chromatin.

Abstract: A non-invasive, risk-free method of prenatal diagnosis is provided. According to the method of the present invention transcervical specimens are subjected to trophoblast-specific immuno-staining followed by FISH, PRINS, Q-FISH and/or MCB analyses and/or other DNA-based genetic analysis in order to determine fetal gender and/or identify chromosomal and/or DNA abnormalities in a fetus. Also provided is a method of in situ chromosomal, DNA and/or RNA analysis of a prestained specimen by incubating the prestained specimen in ammonium hydroxide. Also provided is a method of identifying embryonic cells according to a nucleus/cytoplasm ratio of at least 1:1 and the presence of at least variably condensed chromatin.

Abstract: A non-invasive, risk-free method of prenatal diagnosis is provided. According to the method of the present invention transcervical specimens are subjected to trophoblast-specific immuno-staining followed by FISH, PRINS, Q-FISH and/or MCB analyses and/or other DNA-based genetic analysis in order to determine fetal gender and/or identify chromosomal and/or DNA abnormalities in a fetus.

Abstract: A method is provided for determining the gender and/or chromosomal abnormality, e.g. chromosomal aneuploidy of a fetus comprising identifying fetal cells in a transcervical cell sample obtained from a pregnant woman, for example with an antibody specific to the HLA-G antigen expressed only by extravillous trophoblast cells, and then subjecting the identified fetal cells to fluorescence in situ hybridization (FISH) with one or more probes for detecting the sex of the fetus or a chromosomal abnormality such as a monosomy, a trisomy or a polyploidy, e.g. triploidy.