A karyotype is a laboratory test, usually done on a blood sample, that shows the number and structure of a person's chromosomes, allowing doctors to identify numerical abnormalities (such as an extra or missing chromosome) or structural rearrangements (such as a translocation or inversion). A parental karyotype is commonly offered to both partners after recurrent pregnancy loss, recurrent implantation failure, or when a child has been born with a chromosomal condition, to see whether either parent carries a rearrangement that could explain the pattern. A normal karyotype does not rule out all genetic contributions to fertility problems or pregnancy loss, since many chromosome changes in eggs, sperm or embryos occur newly (de novo) and are not present in the parents' own blood cells. An abnormal parental karyotype finding is best explained through genetic counselling, which can outline the implications and reproductive options, including PGT-SR where relevant.
Also known as: parental karyotype, chromosome analysis, karyotyping
Sources
- Indian Council of Medical Research (icmr.gov.in)
- Federation of Obstetric and Gynaecological Societies of India (fogsi.org)
Last reviewed: 9 September 2026. Written by the Antega Editorial Team. General information only — always follow the advice of your own clinic, doctor or pharmacist.