ABSTRACT
Polar body (PB) biopsy with subsequent analysis of chromosomal abnormalities was introduced in 1990 by Verlinsky et al. (1). This technique opened the era of preconception genetic diagnosis as an alternative to preimplantation genetic diagnosis (PGD) of the embryo which was proposed earlier by Handyside et al. (2). It is important to note, that PB diagnosis gives direct information about the fi rst and second PB and therefore only allows an indirect diagnosis of the maternal genetic or chromosomal constitution of the corresponding oocyte. In contrast, PGD of the embryo gives a direct diagnosis for the embryo and allows detecting both maternally and paternally derived genetic or chromosomal contributions.
