Karyotyping remains an invaluable tool to researchers exploring the cause and consequence of genomic instability in biologic systems. It allows investigators to survey the entire chromosome complement in individual cells and in a single experiment, visualize, and measure different forms or features of instability such as aneuploidy, ongoing chromosomal instability, DNA damage/mis-repair, telomere erosion, chromosome mis-segregation, or defects in cell cycle progression. This chapter describes the combined use of conventional (DAPI-banding) and spectral karyotyping (SKY) to characterize genomic instability in murine cerebellar granule neuron progenitors (CGNPs), using CGNPs with conditional deletion of Atr as a positive control for chromosomal rearrangements. Protocols for preparing slides (metaphase spreads) from fixed cell suspension, DAPI-banding, and spectral karyotyping (SKY) are included. Pertinent aspects of image acquisition and analysis are detailed. These protocols can likely be adapted to other tissue types (murine or human).

OBJECTIVE: Here we present three cases of chromosomal abnormalities with favorable outcomes.
METHODS: In Case 1, conventional karyotyping revealed a karyotype of 46, XY,t(7; 14) (q35; q13)[4]/46,XY[26]. Array comparative genomic hybridization (aCGH) analysis revealed no genomic imbalance. In Case 2, conventional karyotyping revealed a norma karyotype but aCGH analysis revealed a 3.2M chromosomal duplication (13q12.11q12.12(22, 073, 046_25, 230, 759)x3). In Case 3, aCGH analysis revealed a 5.5M chromosomal deletion (9q21.13q21.32 (78, 645, 382_84, 115, 555) x1). In all three cases, ultrasound examination showed no dysmorphisms and intrauterine growth restrictions (IUGRs) in the fetus. All three pregnancies resulted in phenotypically normal babies.
CONCLUSIONS: Chromosomal abnormalities may be associated with favorable outcomes. Combining conventional karyotyping, aCGH analysis and ultrasound results can provide a more accurate risk assessment for pregnant women with advanced age.

BACKGROUND: Chromosomal microarray analysis (CMA) has been suggested to be routinely conducted for fetuses with ultrasound abnormalities (UA), especially with ultrasound structural anomalies (USA). Whether to routinely offer CMA to women of advanced maternal age (AMA) without UA when undergoing invasive prenatal testing is inconclusive.
OBJECTIVE: This study aimed to evaluate the efficiency of CMA in detecting clinically significant chromosomal abnormalities in fetuses, with or without UA, of women with AMA.
METHODS: Data from singleton pregnancies referred for prenatal CMA due to AMA, with or without UA were obtained. The enrolled cases were divided into AMA group (group A) and AMA accompanied by UA group (group B). Single nucleotide polymorphism (SNP) array technology and conventional karyotyping were performed simultaneously.
RESULTS: A total of 703 cases were enrolled and divided into group A (N = 437) and group B (N = 266). Clinically significant abnormalities were detected by CMA in 52 cases (7.4%, 52/703; the value in group A was significantly lower than that in group B (3.9% vs 13.2%, P < .05); no statistic difference was observed with respect to submicroscopic variants of clinical significance between the two groups (0.9% vs 2.6%, P > .05).
CONCLUSIONS: Chromosomal microarray analysis should be available to all women with AMA undergoing invasive prenatal testing, regardless of ultrasound findings.

Central nervous system (CNS) abnormalities are often isolated but can accompany various genetic syndromes. In this study, we evaluated conventional karyotype results and associated findings of fetuses that were diagnosed with CNS abnormalities. Cases included in the study were diagnosed with fetal CNS anomalies and underwent conventional karyotyping. Conventional karyotype results of subjects were compared with karyotype results of fetal karyotyped patients as a result of maternal anxiety in a two-year period. In this period, 69 patients were diagnosed with fetal CNS anomalies and 64 of them underwent invasive fetal karyotyping. Of these, 32 patients had isolated CNS anomalies, while 32 were associated with other anomalies. There was no significant difference between karyotype results when compared with the control group (p = 0.76). Apart from some specific anomalies, the aneuploidy rate does not significantly differ between fetuses with CNS anomalies and the control group. Advanced genetic evaluation may provide additional diagnostic benefits, especially for this group.

This case report presented a karyotype and pedigree analysis of a case with unusual combination of dental anomalies: Generalized short roots, talon cusps, dens invagination, low alveolar bone heights, very prominent cusp of carabelli and protostylid on first permanent molars, taurodontism of second permanent molars, rotated, missing and impacted teeth. None of the anomalies alone are rare. However, until date, nonsyndromic pandental anomalies that are affecting entire dentition with detailed karyotype, pedigree and cone-beam computerized tomography analysis have not been reported. The occurrence of these anomalies is probably incidental as the conditions are etiologically unrelated.