Search our Test Catalog. Specify what to search (name, test code, titles, everywhere) and how to search (begins with, contains)

Unit Code 80333:
Fibroblast Culture for Genetic Testing

Print Friendly View
Print Page Email Page

Useful For

Producing fibroblast cultures that can be used for genetic analysis

 

Once confluent flasks are established, the fibroblast cultures are sent to

other laboratories, either within Mayo Clinic or to external sites, based on

the specific testing requested.

 

This test should be used when the specimen is chorionic villi or when

cytogenetic testing is needed. For other specimen types and any other

genetic testing, we recommend ordering #8482 "Fibroblast Culture," as

these specimens are cryopreserved indefinitely once testing is complete.

Clinical Information

Fibroblast cells may be used to perform a wide range of laboratory tests.

Prior to testing, the tissue may need to be cultured to obtain adequate

numbers of cells.

Reference Values

N/A

Cautions

Prior to obtaining chorionic villus specimens (CVS) for specific cytogenetic

testing, it is crucial to identify a laboratory that will perform testing for the

disorder in question and establish that they will perform the study on

cultured CVS or fibroblasts.  

 

Including clinical information provided with the specimen is very useful.

This allows the laboratory to identify and verify the correct testing to

perform.

 

Interfering factors

Technical:

- Inadequate amount of specimen (we recommend 20 mg of chorionic villi)

  may not permit adequate analysis

- Exposure of the specimen to temperature extremes (freezing or

       >30 degrees C)

 - Improper packaging may result in broken, leaky, and contaminated

  specimens during transport

- Extended transport time

- In products of conception (POC)/autopsy/stillbirth specimens, a lack of

  viable cells or bacterial contamination (this occurs in approximately 20%

  of spontaneously aborted products of conception), or a long delay

  between fetal death and the miscarriage

 

Biological:

-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.

Special Instructions and Forms

• Final Disposition of Fetal/Stillborn Remains 

Clinical Reference

Spurbeck JL, Carlson RO, Allen JE, Dewald GW:  Culturing and robotic

harvesting of bone marrow, lymph nodes, peripheral blood, fibroblasts,

and solid tumors with in situ techniques. Cancer Genet

Cytogenet 1988;32:59-66

Key