Background:

Cell culture allows direct analysis of live cells under a microscope. The cell study contained in amniotic fluid, by culture techniques, detects abnormalities in chromosome number and morphology, which can be related to genetic diseases.

Objective:

To describe amniotic fluid culture strains for the in vitro diagnosis of polyploidy.

Methodology:

A cross-sectional descriptive study was conducted at the Camagüey Provincial Center of Medical Genetics, from November 2016 to April 2018.The study population consisted of 1571 useful amniotic fluid samples obtained by amniocentesis, in pregnant women in the second trimester, evaluated by multidisciplinary discussion with clinical criteria for chromosomal studies as established in the cytogenetic prenatal diagnosis, prior informed consent. 20 mL of amniotic fluid were used for fetal cell seeding, and three open culture strains (direct, centrifuged and expanded) were applied. Chromosomal complement was determined in each variety.

Results:

Normal chromosome complement was predominant. Tetraploidy prevailed in the expanded culture. The mitotic index was similar in the three culture strains and the direct culture had the lowest polyploidy index.

Conclusions:

Normal karyotype was predominant. Tetraploidy were the most frequent modifications and prevailed in the expanded culture. Direct culture had the lowest rate of the in vitro induced errors.

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