In addition to the traditional cytogenetics still used as the basic methodology for everyday clinical diagnosis, new molecular cytogenetic techniques provide a useful basis for routine diagnosis. Flourescence in situ hybridization (FISH) has become a standard technique, and comparative genomic hybridization (CGH), spectral karyotyping (SKY), and multi-color FISH have shown their potential for diagnostic purposes. Following a section on tissue culture, chromosome staining and basic information about karyotyping, nomenclature and quality standards, protocols of relevance for comprehensive cytogenetic diagnostics are presented.

This book presents the aspects of the new German directives on human genetic testing that are relevant to gynecological practice. An important new element is the recent development of non-invasive prenatal genetic diagnostic testing using maternal blood, which are available in Germany since June 2012.