A karyotype is a snapshot of an individual’s chromosomes. In order to generate a karyotype, the chromosomes are isolated, stained, and examined under the microscope. This is done to determine the number of chromosomes and is also used to highlight any abnormalities. A karyotype can identify genetic disorders, such as Down syndrome.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
A karyotype refers to an individual\u2019s collection of chromosomes<\/a> and genes<\/a>. It\u2019s also used as shorthand for a karyotype test, a laboratory technique that produces an image of an individual’s chromosomes. A karyotype test looks at the size, shape, and number of chromosomes.<\/p>\n\n\n\n In the fertility medicine world, karyotyping can be used to find out if an individual has a genetic disorder that could be passed down to children, or if a chromosomal defect is causing infertility<\/a> issues or miscarriages<\/a>. Doctors may also perform a karyotype on an embryo<\/a>, in a process called preimplantation genetic testing, or in testing during pregnancy, to find genetic defects in a developing embryo or fetus.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Advanced maternal age, infertility, and a family history of genetic disorders are common reasons to order a karyotype test for parents or embryo(s).<\/p>\n\n\n\n A karyotype test requires a sample of cells. This sample can be retrieved through a simple blood test, or in a biopsy<\/a> of a developing embryo. For prenatal testing, a doctor will insert a thin needle or catheter into the pregnant patient\u2019s abdomen and withdraw a small amount of amniotic fluid or placental cells. This process is known as chorionic villus sampling or CVS. Bone marrow or tissue can also be collected via biopsy for a karyotype.<\/p>\n\n\n\n The cells are sent to a lab, where their genetic makeup is examined. If the cells contain the wrong number of chromosomes<\/a> (the correct number is 46) or other genetic abnormalities, the karyotype results may be abnormal. Karyotyping can diagnose Down syndrome, Turner syndrome, intersex conditions, and other genetic conditions.<\/p>\n\n\n\n There are potential genetic causes for male-factor infertility<\/a> that can be diagnosed through karyotype testing. Klinefelter syndrome<\/a>, for example, is a condition in which males have an extra X chromosome<\/a>. This chromosomal abnormality interferes with puberty and fertility, though in vitro fertilization<\/a> and intracytoplasmic sperm injection<\/a> can help.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":14,"featured_media":0,"parent":0,"template":"glossary","glossary-cat":[],"class_list":["post-9019","glossary","type-glossary","status-publish","hentry"],"acf":[],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.givelegacy.com\/vnext\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/glossary\/9019"}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.givelegacy.com\/vnext\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/glossary"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.givelegacy.com\/vnext\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/types\/glossary"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.givelegacy.com\/vnext\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/users\/14"}],"version-history":[{"count":1,"href":"https:\/\/www.givelegacy.com\/vnext\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/glossary\/9019\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":17232,"href":"https:\/\/www.givelegacy.com\/vnext\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/glossary\/9019\/revisions\/17232"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.givelegacy.com\/vnext\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fmedia&parent=9019"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"glossary-cat","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.givelegacy.com\/vnext\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fglossary-cat&post=9019"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}Process of karyotype testing<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
Karyotype and male fertility<\/h2>\n\n\n\n