Polymerase chain reaction (PCR) detects rhesus in transcervical samples:
This article was originally published in Clinica
Executive Summary
Researchers from the UK MRC say foetal rhesus factor can be ascertained by PCR amplification of transcervical samples. In a letter to The Lancet (February 4th), Dr M Adinolfi says both aspiration of cervical mucus at 10 weeks and lavage between 6 and 13 weeks harvested sufficient foetal trophoblasts to determine rhesus status in ten out of 12 women tested. The researchers say these preliminary results indicate at least 2.5 cellular elements are probably required for reliable analysis. A larger trial is now under way at University College London.