Routine cytogenetic prenatal diagnosis using dynamic banding (RBG-GBG): A highly reproducible method for amniocytes, fetal cord blood, and chorionic villus investigations

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Abstract
Dynamic banding (RBG‐GBG) using pulse 5‐bromodeoxyuridine (5‐BrdU) incorporation during part of the last S‐phase before harvesting has been used in prenatal investigations. This method has already been routinely applied in 1344 cytogenetic investigations. GBG and RBG bandings produced almost identical patterns to classical G‐ and R‐banding methods except for heterochromatic portions and some euchromatic segments. Nevertheless, these discordances may be somewhat helpful for cytogenetic diagnosis (i.e., X numerical abnormalities). The results showed particularly good contrast and staining; 5‐BrdU incorporation did not prevent additional staining. Likewise, previous RBG or GBG disclosure allowed further chromosomal identification with C‐banding or nucleolar organizer staining. Simplicity and reproducibility were very helpful in cases with a low mitotic index. 5‐BrdU had no significant effect on in‐vitro damage because only 0.31 per cent of cells were affected; so, we believe that dynamic banding should be used more extensively in cytogenetic investigations. Moreover, the staining and contrast qualities were very suitable for automatic methods of analysis now in use: i.e., metaphase finding and computer‐assisted karyogram creation.