Detection of fetal Y-specific DNA from the cervix.

Detection of fetal Y-specific DNA by polymerase chain reaction was performed on cervical samplings obtained from 24 patients who underwent first trimester suction termination of pregnancy. The results were compared with the fetal gender determined by Y-sequence polymerase chain reaction on the fetal parts. Fourteen male pregnancies were identified. Correct predictions were made in two (14.3%) from the cervical swabs and three (21.4%) from the trans-cervical samplings. The failure of isolation of fetal cells from the cervix was not related to the gestation of sampling.