Trophoblast retrieval and isolation from the cervix (TRIC) is unaffected by early gestational age or maternal obesity

Objective: The objective of this study is to evaluate whether trophoblast yield obtained by trophoblast retrieval and isolation from the cervix (TRIC) is affected by pregnancy outcome, gestational age (GA) at retrieval, maternal body mass index (BMI), parity, or maternal age. Methods: TRIC was performed on 224 ongoing pregnancies between 5 and 20weeks of GA. Trophoblast cells were isolated from cervical cells using anti-human leukocyte antigen-G antibody coupled to magnetic nanoparticles. Purity was assessed by the percentage of isolated cells that express β-hCG. Patient records were monitored until delivery, and pregnancy outcomes were determined. Trophoblast yield was compared with GA at time of collection, maternal BMI, parity, maternal age, and outcome of pregnancy, using linear regression. Results: There was no effect of GA, maternal BMI, parity, and maternal age on trophoblast yield. Trophoblast yield decreased significantly with early pregnancy loss compared with uncomplicated pregnancies that delivered at term. Trophoblast yield with preeclampsia or intrauterine growth restriction was decreased compared with healthy term outcomes; however, they did not reach statistical significance. Conclusions: If TRIC becomes available as a method for non-invasive prenatal testing, our data demonstrate that it is unaffected by BMI and is useful as early as 5weeks of GA.