Ordering Guidance

This test is most useful for chorionic villus sampling, products of conception, and skin biopsy specimens. The specimen is cryopreserved for a minimum of 6 months.

If ordering this test to obtain DNA for testing at a different laboratory location, see Necessary Information.

Shipping Instructions

Advise Express Mail or equivalent if not on courier service.

Necessary Information

1. Include patient clinical history with request. This information will be used for any testing performed on the cultured cells.

2. Indicate the tests to be performed on the fibroblast culture cells.

Note: For testing performed on fibroblasts at locations other than Mayo Clinic Laboratories (MCL), a MCL Test ID and test requisition for the requested laboratory are required. Prior to specimen collection, call 800-533-1710 to confirm availability of send-out testing options. Courtesy DNA extraction on fibroblast cultures will not be performed for tests not in the MCL referral catalog.

3. Final Disposition of Fetal/Stillborn Remains is required for products of conception or stillbirth specimens.

Specimen Required

Submit only 1 of the following specimens:

Specimen Type: Autopsy

Supplies: Hank's Solution (T132)

Container/Tube: Sterile container with sterile Hank's balanced salt solution, Ringer's solution, or normal saline

Specimen Volume: 4-mm diameter

Collection Instructions:

1. Wash biopsy site with an antiseptic soap.

2. Thoroughly rinse area with sterile water.

3. Do not use alcohol or iodine preparations.

4. Biopsy specimens are best taken by punch biopsy to include full thickness of dermis.

Specimen Type: Chorionic villi

Supplies: CVS Media (RPMI) and Small Dish (T095)

Container/Tube: 15 mL tube containing 15 mL of transport media

Specimen Volume: 20-30 mg

Collection Instructions:

1. Collect specimen by the transabdominal or transcervical method.

2. Transfer the chorionic villi specimen to a Petri dish containing transport medium.

3. Using a stereomicroscope and sterile forceps, assess the quality and quantity of the villi and remove any blood clots and maternal decidua.

Specimen Type: Products of conception or stillbirth

Supplies: Hank's Solution (T132)

Container/Tube: Sterile container with sterile Hank's balanced salt solution, Ringer's solution, or normal saline

Specimen Volume: 1 cm(3) of placenta (including 20 mg of chorionic villi) and a 1 cm(3) biopsy specimen of muscle/fascia from the thigh

Collection Instructions: If a fetus cannot be specifically identified, collect 50 mg villus material or tissue that appears to be of fetal origin.

Additional Information: Do not send entire fetus.

Specimen Type: Cultured fibroblasts

Container/Tube: T-25 flask

Specimen Volume: 2 Full T-25 flasks

Specimen Stability Information: Ambient (preferred)/Refrigerated

Specimen Type: Skin biopsy

Supplies: Fibroblast Biopsy Transport Media (T115)

Container/Tube: Sterile container with any standard cell culture media (eg, minimal essential media, RPMI 1640). The solution should be supplemented with 1% penicillin and streptomycin. Tubes of culture media can be supplied upon request (Eagle's minimum essential medium with 1% penicillin and streptomycin).

Specimen Volume: 4-mm punch