• Each specimen must be clearly labeled with at least two patient identifiers such as patient name, age, sex, etc.
• Each specimen must be accompanied by a paper test requisition including the following: First and last name, birth date, gender, name of referring physician, originating lab or clinic, clinical indication and tests ordered.
• The clinical indication is required for appropriate cell culture parameters to be chosen
• Samples should be sent as soon as possible to the Cytogenetics Laboratory with same-day or overnight transport preferable.
• Samples should never be frozen or placed on ice

• Transfer 1-2 ml of aspirate into a sodium-heparin vacutainer and mix well.
• Ensure aseptic conditions during the aspiration procedure.
• Accurately label the vacutainer with patient details and collection information
• Avoid using EDTA or other blood-thinning agents, and do not open the container.

• Ascetically transfer two or three tissue bits to a sterile bottle containing normal saline or in container provided by Genetika
• Kits with tissue transport media and a requisition form are available from the laboratory for convenient sampling and transport.

In cases of fetal demise, the placenta maintains cell viability longer due to maternal blood circulation; therefore, placental specimens are more likely to yield cell growth and therefore a cytogenetic result.

• Ascetically transfer two or three tissue bits placenta from near the umbilical cord insertion site containing chorionic villi to a sterile bottle containing normal saline or in container provided by Genetika.
• Kits with tissue transport media and a requisition form are available from the laboratory for convenient sampling and transport.