Identification of trophoblast in chorionic villi biopsy samples

We have investigated a test for rapid discrimination between foetal and maternal origin of chorionic villi biopsy samples. A monoclonal antibody named H315 reacting against a specific antigen present on the surface of foetal trophoblastic cells, plus a double-colour staining technique (FITC + PI), have been used for the identification of foetal cells (H315-positive) and for visualization of nucleate (PI-positive) and anucleate (PI-negative) structures of chorionic villi. This test could be useful in differentiating foetal and maternal cells in chorionic villi biopsy samples currently used for prenatal diagnostic purposes.