Objective: Since ABI PRISM 7700 sequence detection system has not already been commercially available, quite a number of laboratories are obliged to perform actual non-invasive prenatal diagnosis from maternal peripheral blood on new equipment. The purpose of this study was to test the usage of 7300 real-time PCR system for the purpose of routine non-invasive fetal sex determination and fetal RHD and RHCE genotyping. Settings: Cell Biology Laboratory, Paediatric Clinic, 2nd Medical Faculty and University Hospital Motol Prague. Material and Methods: We evaluated paternal allele amplification on extracellular DNA isolated from maternal peripheral blood by using QIAamp DSP Virus kit (c and E alleles of RHCE gene) and QIAamp DNA Blood Mini kit (SRY, RHD and C allele of RHCE gene) in a cohort of 22 pregnant women within 10th and 38th week of pregnancy. Results: The results of fetal SRY (n = 6), RHD (exon 7 and exon 10, n = 7) and RHCE (C allele, n = 3; c allele, n = 3; E allele, n = 3) genotyping performed on 7300 real-time PCR system corresponded to sex and/or Rh phenotype of the foetus or the newborn in all tested pregnant women. We showed that 7300 real-time PCR system is sensitive enough for paternal allele detection performed on fetal DNA fraction within extracellular DNA isolated from maternal plasma. Conclusion: After ABI PRISM 7700 sequence detection system would be completely taken out of service, we would be able henceforth to provide reliable non-invasive fetal sex determination in pregnancies at risk of X-linked disorders and non-invasive fetal RHD and RHCE genotyping in alloimmunized pregnancies at risk of haemolytic disease of newborn.

        Key words: extracellular fetal DNA, real-time PCR, RHD gene, RHCE gene.