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We report on first experiences with amniocentesis in 63 pregnancies after IVF treatment over a period of 3 years. It is shown, that there is no increased risk through amniocentesis; it does not require special precautions. Above average number of aberrations could be found in amniotic cultures in cases where it could be identified additionally in one parent. It remains to be seen, whether the small number and sterility causes were coincidental or manifest themselves in future, especially, if the sterility concerned can be classified as idiopathic. The occurrence of trisomy 21 in accordance with the frequency is to be expected in the group of persons over 35 years of age and no increased risk through IVF treatment can be found.

Acute myeloid leukemia (AML) is a heterogeneous disease. The diagnosis is based on the demonstration of immature myeloid cells in Pappenheim stained blood and bone marrow smears. Using the criteria of the French-American-British Cooperative Group, the myeloid leukemias can be divided into six subgroups (FAB classification). Recently, the development of several new techniques has led to a more detailed cell characterization. This review article will discuss the diagnostic procedure in AML.

Not less than 4% of live-born individuals suffer from some genetic or partly genetic condition. The risk in genetic high risk pregnancies is dependant on the mode of inheritance. Genetic-counselling and in some severe disorders prenatal diagnosis can help to avoid genetic diseases. Indications, technique and results of amniocentesis for prenatal diagnosis of genetic diseases are discussed.

Hematologic changes in an infant, live-born and surviving 46 hours are reported. The main characteristics were a decrease of red blood cells and an increase of mean corpuscular volume and mean corpuscular hemoglobin concentration. Some morphological abnormalities were found. The smears showed prematurity of the red cells, many of them with degenerative nucleal changes. The described alterations looks like a chronic erythroblastosis. The explanation might be an antepartum feto-maternal transfusion because a great amount of fetal erythrocytes could be found in the maternal blood.

The fluorochrome AMHA (3-amino-6-methoxy-9-(2-hydroxyethylamino)acridine) stains the nuclear chromatin and the chromosomes of living HeLa cells. At relatively low dye concentrations CF less than or equal to 10(-4) M and short incubation periods tI less than or equal to 2 h cell growth is not affected by the drug. But at higher CF and longer tI the population doubling time of the cell cultures rapidly increases, and finally the cells die. In vital staining experiments the dye AMHA preferentially binds to the DNA of the nuclei and to the chromosomes of the cells, respectively. The dye binding to DNA has been proved by the absorption and emission microspectra of the stained cells, and by the comparison with authentic spectra of AMHA bound to DNA in aqueous solutions. Within the limits of experimental errors both types of spectra are identical. The spectra of DNA-bound AMHA show a characteristic gap of ca. 3500 cm-1 between the 0-0-transitions of the long wave length 1La absorption and the fluorescence. AMHA molecules dissolved in the polar solvent water have a gap of even 4100 cm-1. This energy gap shows that the electron distribution of AMHA is strongly changed by light absorption and emission. Finally, using absorption spectroscopy, we investigated the binding of AMHA to DNA in aqueous solutions over a wide range of concentrations of the dye, of nucleic acid (calf thymus), and of the competitor NaCl respectively. The Scatchard binding isotherms were determined. With the method of competitive salt effect three different bonds of AMHA to DNA can be distinguished even at low dye concentrations: The intercalation 1 of the fluorochrome F, binding constant KF1 = 1.1.10(5) M-1, binding parameter n1 = 0.15; the pre-intercalative or external binding 2, KF2 = 6.9.10(5) M-1, n2 = 0.21; the external binding 3, KF3 = 2.8.10(5) M-1, n3 = 0.55. Externally bound dye molecules 2 and 3 occupy two phosphodiester residues of the DNA. A detailed discussion of the data and the competitive salt effect shows that in living cells only intercalated and small amounts of pre-intercalatively bound molecules 1 and 2 exist. The binding constant KF1 = 1.1.10(5) M-1 of AMHA is unusual high in comparison with the constants of intercalation of other dyes, KF1 = (1-4).10(4) M-1.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 400 WORDS)

A boy with XX-karyotype displayed classical features of Klinefelter's syndrome. In the nuclei of hair root cells Barr-bodies were present as well as brightly fluorescent (F-)bodies resembling closely a Y-body. In lymphocyte metaphases, however, this F-body of the interphase nuclei corresponded to a brightly fluorescent segment of the short arm of a D15-chromosome was found in the father's karyotype. This case does not give convincing support to any of the theories suggested in the etiology of the XX-male phenomenon.

A new continuous cell strain (CaPi) was established from normal pituitary tissue of carp, Cyprinus carpio L. Cells of a fractionated dispersion (0.25% trypsin-PBS, 10 degrees C) of pituitaries formed monolayer (fibroblast- and epithelial-like-cells) at 25 degrees C using Eagle's minimal essential medium (MEM) supplemented with 10% fetal calf serum and non essential amino acids. The continuous cell strain, designated CaPi, was obtained by an enzymatical selection of epitheloid cells from the monolayer of the primary pituitary cell culture. This culture has been subcultured 70 times over a period of 24 months. CaPi-cells multiply over a temperature range of 15-35 degrees C with an optimum growth temperature of 30 degrees C at a seeding density of 1.7 X 10(6) cells/ml. Chromosome analysis indicates the cells are heteroploid and show modal numbers of 47 chromosomes. The CaPi cell line is susceptible to fishviruses (VHSV, PFR, SVCV) producing cytopathic effects (CPE). However, IPNV replicates without visible cell alterations.

Several different methods for identifying human chromosomes were developed over the past years. These methods include fluorescence techniques using quinacrine mustard, acridine orange or Hoechst 33 258 and special methods using Giemsa staining. Studies on replication of chromosomes were greatly improved by using BUdR labelling.