Amniotic fluid sample
In order to perform a chromosome analysis, mitotic cells are required. They can be obtained by culturing the cells from an amniotic fluid sample. Amniotic fluids are obtained by amniocentesis. Factors that can affect the success of cell culturing are:
Sterility
Amniotic fluid should be kept sterile. All laboratory work involving amniotic fluid must be performed inside a biosafety cabinet. The addition of antibiotics such as penicillin and streptomycin to the amniotic fluid may slow cell growth.
Presence of blood
The presence of blood in the amniotic fluid is undesirable because it can be a sign of maternal cell contamination and it can increase the acidity of the culture and inhibit cell growth.