Sign in →

Test ID MULT Zygosity Testing (Multiple Births), Varies

Reporting Name

Zygosity Testing (Multiple Births)

Useful For

Determining genetic risk for an individual whose twin or triplet is affected with a genetic disorder for which a specific genetic test is not available (or such testing is uninformative)

 

Assessment of risks prenatally when one fetus of multiples is known to be affected by a specific disorder

 

Organ or bone marrow transplantation compatibility testing

 

Familial or parental interest

Clinical Information

Approximately 30% of twins are monozygotic (identical), while 70% are dizygotic (nonidentical or fraternal). Monozygotic twins originate from a single egg and, by definition, have identical DNA markers throughout their genomes. Dizygotic twins, on the other hand, inherit their genetic complement independently from each parent and are no more likely to have genetic material in common than are any other full siblings.

 

Polymorphic DNA markers have been identified. DNA markers are regions of DNA that display normal variability in the type or the number of nucleotide bases at a given location. One class of repetitive DNA that exhibits marked variability is microsatellites. With the use of such markers, it is possible to distinguish one individual from another because of differences detected at these polymorphic loci. Utilizing polymerase chain reaction followed by capillary electrophoresis, the genotypes of a set of twins (triplets, etc) are derived from the analysis of multiple markers. This genotype is compared to those of their parents to determine if the children are mono- or dizygotic. Any differences detected between siblings' microsatellite markers indicate dizygosity.

 

Many disorders are known to occur on a genetic basis though the genes have not been identified for all of them. If one member of a set of twins is diagnosed with a genetic disorder, determination of zygosity, in addition to other testing, may provide additional information regarding risk assessment of unaffected individuals. In addition, zygosity can be useful when evaluating for twin-twin transfusion syndrome during pregnancy or as part of a pre-organ transplant workup for situations where one twin is donating an organ to another twin.

Interpretation

The interpretive report includes an overview of the findings as well as the associated clinical significance

Reflex Tests

Test ID Reporting Name Available Separately Always Performed
CULFB Fibroblast Culture for Genetic Test Yes No
CULAF Amniotic Fluid Culture/Genetic Test Yes No
_STR1 Comp Analysis using STR (Bill only) No No
_STR2 Add'l comp analysis w/STR (Bill Only) No No

Report Available

5 to 12 days

Day(s) Performed

Varies

Clinical Reference

1. Appleman Z, Manor M, Magal N, Caspi B, Shohat M, Blickstein I. Prenatal diagnosis of twin zygosity by DNA "fingerprint" analysis. Prenat Diagn. 1994;14(4):307-309

2. Neitzel H, Digweed M, Nurnberg P, et al. Routine applications of DNA fingerprinting with the oligonucleotide probe (CAC)5/(GTG)5. Clin Genet. 1991;39(2):97-103

3. Allen RW, Polesky HF. Parentage and Relationship Testing. In: Leonard DGB, ed. Molecular Pathology in Clinical Practice. 2nd ed. Springer International Publishing; 2016:811-821

Method Name

Polymerase Chain Reaction (PCR)/Microsatellite Markers

Specimen Type

Varies


Shipping Instructions


 



Necessary Information


A specimen from each multiple is required and specimens from both parents are recommended.



Specimen Required


Patient Preparation: A previous hematopoietic stem cell transplant from an allogenic donor will interfere with testing. For information about testing patients who have received a hematopoietic stem cell transplant, call 800-533-1710

 

Submit only 1 of the following specimens:

 

Specimen Type: Whole blood

Container/Tube: Lavender top (EDTA) or yellow top (ACD)

Specimen Volume: 3 mL

Collection Instructions:

1. Invert several times to mix blood.

2. Send whole blood specimen in original tube. Do not aliquot.

Specimen Stability Information: Ambient (preferred) 4 days/Refrigerated 4 days/Frozen 4 days

Additional Information:

1. Specimens are preferred to be received within 4 days of collection. Extraction will be attempted for specimens received after 4 days, and DNA yield will be evaluated to determine if testing may proceed.

2. To ensure minimum volume and concentration of DNA is met, the requested volume must be submitted. Testing may be canceled if DNA requirements are inadequate.

 

Specimen Type: Cord blood

Container/Tube: Lavender top (EDTA) or yellow top (ACD)

Specimen Volume: 3 mL

Collection Instructions:

1. Invert several times to mix blood.

2. Send cord blood specimen in original tube. Do not aliquot.

Specimen Stability Information: Ambient (preferred) 4 days/Refrigerated 4 days/Frozen 4 days

Additional Information:

1. Specimens are preferred to be received within 4 days of collection. Extraction will be attempted for specimens received after 4 days, and DNA yield will be evaluated to determine if testing may proceed.

2. To ensure minimum volume and concentration of DNA is met, the requested volume must be submitted. Testing may be canceled if DNA requirements are inadequate.

3. While a properly collected cord blood sample may not be at risk for maternal cell contamination, unanticipated complications may occur during collection. Therefore, maternal cell contamination studies are recommended to ensure the test results reflect that of the patient tested and are available at an additional charge. Order MATCC / Maternal Cell Contamination, Molecular Analysis, Varies on the maternal specimen.

 

Specimen Type: Extracted DNA

Container/Tube:

Preferred: Screw Cap Micro Tube, 2 mL with skirted conical base

Acceptable: Matrix tube, 1 mL

Collection Instructions:

1. The preferred volume is at least 100 mcL at a concentration of 75 ng/mcL.

2. Include concentration and volume on tube.

Specimen Stability Information: Frozen (preferred) 1 year/Ambient/Refrigerated

Additional Information: DNA must be extracted in a CLIA-certified laboratory, or equivalent, and must be extracted from a specimen type listed as acceptable for this test (including applicable anticoagulants). Our laboratory has experience with Chemagic, Puregene, Autopure, MagnaPure, and EZ1 extraction platforms and cannot guarantee that all extraction methods are compatible with this test. If testing fails, one repeat will be attempted, and if unsuccessful, the test will be reported as failed, and a charge will be applied. If applicable, specific gene regions that were unable to be interrogated due to DNA quality will be noted in the report.

 

PRENATAL SPECIMENS

Due to its complexity, consultation with the laboratory is required for all prenatal testing; call 800-533-1710 to speak to a genetic counselor.

 

Specimen Type: Amniotic fluid

Container/Tube: Amniotic fluid container

Specimen Volume: 20 mL

Specimen Stability Information: Ambient (preferred) <24 hours/Refrigerated <24 hours

Additional Information: Specimen will only be tested after culture.

1. Specimens are preferred to be received within 24 hours of collection. Culture and extraction will be attempted for specimens received after 24 hours and will be evaluated to determine if testing may proceed.

2. A separate culture charge will be assessed under CULAF / Culture for Genetic Testing, Amniotic Fluid. An additional 2 to 3 weeks are required to culture amniotic fluid before genetic testing can occur.

3. All prenatal specimens must be accompanied by a maternal blood specimen; order MATCC / Maternal Cell Contamination, Molecular Analysis, Varies on the maternal specimen.

 

Specimen Type: Prenatal cultured amniocytes. This does not include cultured chorionic villi.

Container/Tube: T-25 flask

Specimen Volume: 2 Flasks

Collection Instructions: Submit confluent cultured cells from another laboratory

Specimen Stability Information: Ambient (preferred) <24 hours/Refrigerated <24 hours

Additional Information:

1. Specimens are preferred to be received within 24 hours of collection. Culture and extraction will be attempted for specimens received after 24 hours and will be evaluated to determine if testing may proceed.

2. A separate culture charge will be assessed under CULFB / Fibroblast Culture for Biochemical or Molecular Testing.

3. All prenatal specimens must be accompanied by a maternal blood specimen; order MATCC / Maternal Cell Contamination, Molecular Analysis, Varies on the maternal specimen.

 

Specimen Type: Chorionic villi

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

Specimen Volume: 20 mg

Specimen Stability Information: Ambient (preferred) <24 hours/Refrigerated <24 hours

Additional Information: Specimen will only be tested after culture.

1. Specimens are preferred to be received within 24 hours of collection. Culture and extraction will be attempted for specimens received after 24 hours and will be evaluated to determine if testing may proceed.

2. A separate culture charge will be assessed under CULFB / Fibroblast Culture for Biochemical or Molecular Testing. An additional 3 to 4 weeks are required to culture fibroblasts before genetic testing can occur.

3. All prenatal specimens must be accompanied by a maternal blood specimen; order MATCC / Maternal Cell Contamination, Molecular Analysis, Varies on the maternal specimen.

 

Specimen Type: Cultured chorionic villi

Container/Tube: T-25 flasks

Specimen Volume: 2 Full flasks

Collection Instructions: Submit confluent cultured cells from another laboratory

Specimen Stability Information: Ambient (preferred) <24 hours/Refrigerated <24 hours

Additional Information:

1. Specimens are preferred to be received within 24 hours of collection. Culture and extraction will be attempted for specimens received after 24 hours and will be evaluated to determine if testing may proceed.

2. A separate culture charge will be assessed under CULFB / Fibroblast Culture for Biochemical or Molecular Testing.

3. All prenatal specimens must be accompanied by a maternal blood specimen; order MATCC / Maternal Cell Contamination, Molecular Analysis, Varies on the maternal specimen.


Specimen Minimum Volume

See Specimen Required

Specimen Stability Information

Specimen Type Temperature Time
Varies Varies

Reference Values

An interpretive report will be provided.

Test Classification

This test was developed and its performance characteristics determined by Mayo Clinic in a manner consistent with CLIA requirements. It has not been cleared or approved by the US Food and Drug Administration.

CPT Code Information

81265-Comparative analysis using Short Tandem Repeat (STR) markers; patient and comparative specimen (eg, pre-transplant recipient and donor germline testing, post-transplant non-hematopoietic recipient germline [eg, buccal swab or other germline tissue sample] and donor testing, twin zygosity testing or maternal cell contamination of fetal cells

 

88233-Tissue culture, skin or solid tissue biopsy (if appropriate)

88235-Tissue culture for amniotic fluid (if appropriate)

88240-Cryopreservation (if appropriate)

81266-Each additional specimen (eg additional cord blood donor, additional fetal samples from different cultures, or additional zygosity in multiple birth pregnancies) (as needed)

LOINC Code Information

Test ID Test Order Name Order LOINC Value
MULT Zygosity Testing (Multiple Births) 55198-6

 

Result ID Test Result Name Result LOINC Value
53322 Result Summary 50397-9
53323 Result 69548-6
53324 Interpretation 69965-2
53349 Reason for Referral 42349-1
53325 Specimen 31208-2
53326 Source 31208-2
53327 Method 85069-3
53328 Released By 18771-6

Forms

1. New York Clients-Informed consent is required. Document on the request form or electronic order that a copy is on file. The following documents are available in Special Instructions:

-Informed Consent for Genetic Testing (T576)

-Informed Consent for Genetic Testing-Spanish (T826)

2. Molecular Genetics: Congenital Inherited Diseases Patient Information(T521)

Secondary ID

35577
Mayo Clinic Laboratories | Prenatal Catalog Additional Information:

mml-prenatal-molecular