Influence of different amplification methods and probes with various lengths on the results of comparative genomic hybridization analysis of preimplanted single blastomere

Objective To investigate the effect of different amplification methods and probes with various length on the results of comparative genomic hybridization (CGH) analysis of pre-implanted single blastomere and to establish the basis for preimplantation genetic diagnosis.Methods Twenty blastomeres of embryo at 6-8 cells stage were randomly divided into A and B group with 10 in each.Twenty peripheral blood lymphocytes from a healthy man were similarly divided into C and D group with 10 in each.Degenerate oligonucleotide primed polymerase chain reaction (DOP-PCR) was used to amplify whole genomic DNA in group A and C,and multiple displacement amplification (MDA) was used in group B and D for whole genome amplification (WGA).The specificity of resultant products was confirmed by amplification of TBX1 gene exon 2.CGH was performed respectively with 250-750 bp and 750-2000 bp probes prepared from the amplified whole genomic DNA.The result of CGH was verified by sex-determining region of Y (SRY).Results (1) Nine of the 10 samples in group A and all in group C were amplifiable by DOP-PCR,but there were multiple non-specific bands in the amplification of TBX1 exon 2 when WGA products were used as templates.When 250～750 bp probe was used in CGH,1 of the 5 blastomeres was failed and another one had different karyotype from that analyzed by SRY.(2) All samples in group B and D were successfully amplified by MDA,and the non-specific bands were significantly less in the amplification of TBX1 exon 2.All 5 blastomeres were successful in CGH with the 250～750 bp probe.Moreover,the karyotype was in agreement with that of SRY.(3) When 750 ～ 2000 bp probe was used,the CGH results were suboptimal.Conclusions In WGA of single blastomere,MDA is superior to DOP-PCR in the stability and specificity.The karyotype image detected by CGH with the 250～750 bp probe is clear and homogenous. Key words: Blastomeres;  Nucleic acid hybridization;  Nucleic acid amplification techniques;  Nucleic acid probes;  Polymerase chain reaction;  Preimplantation diagnosis