Chorionic villus sampling (CVS) can be used to test for various chromosome disorders in pregnancy. Researchers from the University of Florence recently completed a study into the impact of CVS on maternal/fetal cell-free DNA levels. Researchers were looking specifically for increased levels of fetal cell-free DNA in maternal blood samples indicating a disruption in the maternal/placental interface. The results of the study were published in the journal Prenatal Diagnosis.
Researchers collected blood samples from fifty pregnancy women (singleton pregnancies). Blood was collected before and after CVS. Blood samples were tested for maternal cell-free DNA and fetal cell-free DNA. No changes were found in cell-free DNA levels after CVS. Researchers concluded the maternal/placental interface is not affected by CVS.
Source: Di Tommaso M, Seravalli V, Salvianti F, Bussani C, Pasquini L, Cordisco A, Pinzani P. Cell-free fetal DNA in maternal circulation after chorionic villous sampling. Prenat Diagn. 2013 May 8. doi: 10.1002/pd.4155. PubMed