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25385 Amniotic Fluid Culture/Genetic Test (CULAF)

Amniotic Fluid Culture/Genetic Test (CULAF)
Test Code: AFCGTSO
Synonyms/Keywords
Amniotic Fluid Culture for Genetic Testing, Cell culture Amniotic fluid, Culture for Genetic Testing Amniotic Fluid, Genetic Testing Culture Amniotic Fluid, Saving cells for possible genetic testing
Useful For
Producing amniocyte cultures that can be used for genetic analysis
 
Once confluent flasks are established, the amniocyte cultures are sent to other laboratories, either within Mayo Clinic or to external sites, based on the specific testing requested.
Specimen Requirements
Fasting Required Specimen Type Preferred Container/Tube Acceptable Container/Tube Specimen Volume Specimen Minimum Volume
(allows for 1 repeat)		 Pediatric Minimum Volume
(no repeat)
​No ​Amniotic Fluid ​Sterile Amniotic Fluid Container ​ ​10.0 mL ​5.0 mL ​
Collection Processing Instructions
Provide a reason for referral and gestational age with each specimen. The laboratory will not reject testing if this information is not provided, but appropriate testing and interpretation may be compromised or delayed.
 
Optimal timing for specimen collection is during 14 to 18 weeks of gestation, but specimens collected at other weeks of gestation are also accepted.
 
​
1. Discard the first 2 mL of amniotic fluid. If the culture will be performed in conjunction with chromosome analysis and alpha-fetoprotein, a total of approximately 25 mL to 30 mL will be needed for the combined studies.
2. Place the tubes in a Styrofoam container (Supply T329).
3. Fill remaining space with packing material.
4. Unavoidably, about 1% to 2% of mailed-in specimens are not viable.
5. Bloody specimens are undesirable.
6. If the specimen does not grow in culture, you will be notified within 7 days of receipt.
Specimen Stability Information
Specimen Type Temperature ​
​Amniotic Fluid ​ ​Ambient (preferred) Send as soon as possible, no defined time per Mayo​
​Refrigerated
Send as soon as possible, no defined time per Mayo​
Interference
Interfering factors:
-Technical
 - Improper syringes or transport vessels may damage amniotic cells, see Specimen Required
 - Transport time should not exceed 2 days
 - A bloody specimen may interfere with attempts to culture cells
 - Inadequate amount of fluid (we recommend 25 mL of fluid) may not permit adequate culture for analysis
 - Improper packaging may result in broken, leaky, and contaminated specimens
 - Exposure of the specimen to temperature extremes (freezing or >30 degrees C)
-Biologic
 - It is difficult to differentiate between maternal and fetal cells in some specimens. Culturing of maternal cells rather than fetal cells can cause discrepant results.
Performing Laboratory Information
Performing Location Day(s) Test Performed Analytical Time Methodology/Instrumentation
​Mayo Medical Laboratories ​Monday through Sunday 24 days
The specimen is split into 8 to 10 separate culture dishes. The cells are grown on coverslips in culture media for 4 to 10 days. The cultures are trypsinized into 2 to 3 T25 tissue culture flasks or 1 to 2 T75 tissue culture flasks.(United States Department of Health, Education and Welfare, Amniotic Fluid Cell Culture: Training Manual. Center for Disease Control, Atlanta, GA, 1980, pp 1-15) ​
Reference Lab
Mayo Clinic Laboratories
Outreach CPTs
CPT Modifier
(if needed)		 Quantity Description Comments
​88235 ​ ​ Tissue culture for amniotic fluid​ ​
​88240 ​ ​ ​Cryopreservation ​
Synonyms/Keywords
Amniotic Fluid Culture for Genetic Testing, Cell culture Amniotic fluid, Culture for Genetic Testing Amniotic Fluid, Genetic Testing Culture Amniotic Fluid, Saving cells for possible genetic testing
Ordering Applications
Ordering Application Description
If the ordering application you are looking for is not listed, contact your local laboratory for assistance.
Specimen Requirements
Fasting Required Specimen Type Preferred Container/Tube Acceptable Container/Tube Specimen Volume Specimen Minimum Volume
(allows for 1 repeat)		 Pediatric Minimum Volume
(no repeat)
​No ​Amniotic Fluid ​Sterile Amniotic Fluid Container ​ ​10.0 mL ​5.0 mL ​
Collection Processing
Provide a reason for referral and gestational age with each specimen. The laboratory will not reject testing if this information is not provided, but appropriate testing and interpretation may be compromised or delayed.
 
Optimal timing for specimen collection is during 14 to 18 weeks of gestation, but specimens collected at other weeks of gestation are also accepted.
 
​
1. Discard the first 2 mL of amniotic fluid. If the culture will be performed in conjunction with chromosome analysis and alpha-fetoprotein, a total of approximately 25 mL to 30 mL will be needed for the combined studies.
2. Place the tubes in a Styrofoam container (Supply T329).
3. Fill remaining space with packing material.
4. Unavoidably, about 1% to 2% of mailed-in specimens are not viable.
5. Bloody specimens are undesirable.
6. If the specimen does not grow in culture, you will be notified within 7 days of receipt.
Specimen Stability Information
Specimen Type Temperature ​
​Amniotic Fluid ​ ​Ambient (preferred) Send as soon as possible, no defined time per Mayo​
​Refrigerated
Send as soon as possible, no defined time per Mayo​
Interference
Interfering factors:
-Technical
 - Improper syringes or transport vessels may damage amniotic cells, see Specimen Required
 - Transport time should not exceed 2 days
 - A bloody specimen may interfere with attempts to culture cells
 - Inadequate amount of fluid (we recommend 25 mL of fluid) may not permit adequate culture for analysis
 - Improper packaging may result in broken, leaky, and contaminated specimens
 - Exposure of the specimen to temperature extremes (freezing or >30 degrees C)
-Biologic
 - It is difficult to differentiate between maternal and fetal cells in some specimens. Culturing of maternal cells rather than fetal cells can cause discrepant results.
Useful For
Producing amniocyte cultures that can be used for genetic analysis
 
Once confluent flasks are established, the amniocyte cultures are sent to other laboratories, either within Mayo Clinic or to external sites, based on the specific testing requested.
For more information visit:
Performing Laboratory Information
Performing Location Day(s) Test Performed Analytical Time Methodology/Instrumentation
​Mayo Medical Laboratories ​Monday through Sunday 24 days
The specimen is split into 8 to 10 separate culture dishes. The cells are grown on coverslips in culture media for 4 to 10 days. The cultures are trypsinized into 2 to 3 T25 tissue culture flasks or 1 to 2 T75 tissue culture flasks.(United States Department of Health, Education and Welfare, Amniotic Fluid Cell Culture: Training Manual. Center for Disease Control, Atlanta, GA, 1980, pp 1-15) ​
Reference Lab
Mayo Clinic Laboratories
For billing questions, see Contacts
Outreach CPTs
CPT Modifier
(if needed)		 Quantity Description Comments
​88235 ​ ​ Tissue culture for amniotic fluid​ ​
​88240 ​ ​ ​Cryopreservation ​
For most current information refer to the Marshfield Laboratory online reference manual.