Specimen Sending Instructions

Tests and Sample Requirements Home | Molecular | Test Descriptions | Shipping Instructions | Request Form | FISH

• Please fill out the request form completely, including tentative diagnosis and clinical history; this is necessary for us to determine the type of test to be performed.
  
  
• Use SODIUM heparinized vacuum container tube. Other preservatives including other types of heparin may not produce adequate results.
  
  
• Draw 5 ml of venous blood into the heparinized tube. Mix heparin and blood by gently inverting the tube several times. Blood should be kept at room temperature.
  
  
• Label the tube with patient's name and date drawn.

INSTRUCTIONS FOR DRAWING BONE MARROW FOR CHROMOSOME STUDIES

• Please fill out the request form completely, including tentative diagnosis and clinical history; this is necessary for us to determine the type of test to be performed.
  
• Draw 1/2 - 2 ml of early bone marrow aspirate in sodium heparinized tube or syringe. 
  
• Place bone marrow in media provided or sodium heparinized tube. On-campus only: send in capped syringe (with needle removed). 
  
• Label the tube with patient's name and date drawn.
  

INSTRUCTIONS FOR SENDING SPECIMENS FOR
CYTOGENETIC ANALYSIS ON STILLBIRTHS
AND MISCARRIAGES

• Type of specimen to send:
  • Stillbirths:
    Please send samples of organs, if possible. Organs that work best are: kidney, lung, gonad, and skin. These may all be placed in the same vial. If placenta is also being sent, this should be in a separate vial due to high possibility of contamination.
    
    
  • Miscarriages:
    Please send a small sample of the products of conception, if villus material is identifiable, please include in sample.
    There is no need to send the entire POC.
    
    
• We require only 5mm x 5mm sized samples. Entire organs may be sent depending on size.
  
  
• Please label vials with patient's name, date sample is taken, and type of tissue.

All specimens should be kept at room temperature. (Please ensure adequate insulation when sending during cold weather to prevent freezing.)

Send specimen by courier (in Madison) as soon as possible or by Federal express (out of town) to:

UW Cytogenetic Services
465 Henry Mall, Room 419
Madison, WI 53706

Specimens will be accepted until 4:30pm. Specimens drawn after this time should be held until the following day.

Please call the lab at 608-262-0402 to inform us that a specimen will be coming and, if sending by FedEx, to provide us with the tracking number.

Thank you for your cooperation.