NIPGT (2 Spent Media) Test: Booking, Price, and Results
About NIPGT (2 Spent Media) Test: Booking, Price, and Results
| Field | Value |
|---|---|
| Also Known As | niPGT-A, Non-invasive Preimplantation Genetic Testing, Non-invasive PGT, Cell-free DNA Aneuploidy Testing (Spent Media) |
| Sample Type | Spent embryo culture media (2 samples from IVF embryos) |
| Fasting Required | No — not applicable; sample is collected in an IVF laboratory, not from the patient |
| Report Time | 18 Days |
| Recommended For | Couples undergoing IVF, particularly women of advanced maternal age, those with recurrent miscarriage, or repeated implantation failure |
| Price | Starting at ₹24,000 |
What is a NIPGT (2 Spent Media) Test?
The NIPGT (2 Spent Media) test is a non-invasive method of testing embryos for chromosomal abnormalities during an IVF cycle. Rather than taking a biopsy from the embryo itself, it analyses cell-free DNA released naturally into the culture media in which the embryo grows. The "2 Spent Media" refers to samples collected from two embryos. This test is also known as niPGT-A, non-invasive preimplantation genetic testing, or cell-free DNA aneuploidy testing.
What Does a NIPGT (2 Spent Media) Test Measure?
The NIPGT test examines embryonic DNA found in the spent culture media to assess the chromosomal makeup of each embryo. The following parameters are evaluated:
| Parameter | What it Assesses |
|---|---|
| Chromosome count (ploidy status) | Whether the embryo has the correct 46 chromosomes (23 pairs) |
| Aneuploidy detection | Presence of extra or missing chromosomes in the embryo |
| Mosaicism | A mixture of chromosomally normal and abnormal cells within the embryo |
| Structural rearrangements | Chromosomal rearrangements such as translocations and inversions |
| Embryo sex determination | Whether the chromosomal pattern is XX (female) or XY (male) |
Why is a NIPGT (2 Spent Media) Test Done?
The NIPGT (2 Spent Media) test helps fertility specialists identify chromosomally normal embryos before transfer, with the aim of improving IVF outcomes.
Common Symptoms That May Require This Test
The following clinical situations are the most common reasons a fertility specialist may recommend this test:
- Advanced maternal age (35 years or older)
- History of recurrent miscarriage
- Repeated IVF implantation failure despite good-quality embryos
- Previous pregnancy affected by a chromosomal abnormality
- Severe male factor infertility
- Couples who wish to prioritise chromosomally normal embryos for transfer
Conditions This Test Can Help Detect
The NIPGT test can help identify embryos affected by a range of chromosomal conditions, including:
- Aneuploidy (extra or missing chromosomes), a leading cause of miscarriage and implantation failure
- Trisomy 21 (Down syndrome), caused by an extra copy of chromosome 21
- Trisomy 18 (Edwards syndrome) and Trisomy 13 (Patau syndrome)
- Turner syndrome (missing X chromosome) and Klinefelter syndrome (extra X chromosome)
- Structural chromosomal rearrangements inherited from either parent
How to Prepare and What to Expect
The NIPGT (2 Spent Media) test is performed entirely within the IVF laboratory. Patient preparation differs from standard blood or urine tests.
Do You Need to Fast?
No fasting is required. This test does not involve any sample collection from the patient directly. The sample is the spent culture media from embryos, collected by the embryology team during your IVF cycle.
Practical Tips Before Your Test
The following steps will help ensure the process goes smoothly:
- Bring a detailed clinical history, including your symptoms, previous test results, and family history, as this is required for the test
- Bring all signed consent forms and a duly filled test request form (TRF) as instructed by your fertility centre
- Ensure your IVF treatment is being carried out at an accredited fertility centre with an experienced embryology team
- Discuss with your embryologist whether media will be collected on day 5 or day 6, as day 6 collection tends to show higher concordance rates
- Genetic counselling before and after testing is strongly recommended
Step-by-Step Procedure
The sample collection is performed entirely by the embryology team in the IVF laboratory. Here is what the process involves:
- After fertilisation, embryos are cultured separately in small droplets of culture media from day 3 onward.
- On day 5 or day 6, the spent culture media (the media in which each embryo has been growing) is collected — one sample per embryo.
- Approximately 10 microlitres of media is drawn using a sterile, single-use pipette and placed into a sterile collection tube.
- The samples are stored at very low temperature (around minus 20°C on dry ice) and transported to the Lupin Diagnostics laboratory using the NIPGT collection kit.
- In the laboratory, DNA is extracted from the media and amplified using whole-genome amplification (WGA).
- The amplified DNA is analysed using next-generation sequencing (NGS) to assess each embryo's chromosomal status.
Factors That Can Affect Accuracy
Several factors may influence the reliability of the NIPGT test procedure:
- Maternal DNA contamination in the culture media, which can affect the proportion of detectable embryonic DNA
- The day of media collection (day 5 versus day 6)
- Laboratory handling protocols and embryo manipulation prior to media collection
- Quality of embryo development and the sequencing methodology used
Understanding Your NIPGT (2 Spent Media) Test Results
Results are reported for each embryo tested. A fertility specialist and genetic counsellor will review the findings with you in detail.
| Classification | Aneuploid DNA Level | Meaning |
|---|---|---|
| Euploid (Normal) | Less than 20% | Correct chromosome count; embryo is prioritised for transfer |
| Mosaic | 20% to 80% | Mix of normal and abnormal cells; requires genetic counselling before transfer decision |
| Aneuploid (Abnormal) | More than 80% | Chromosomal abnormality detected; embryo is generally not recommended for transfer |
Disclaimer: These ranges are general guidelines. Your doctor will interpret your results based on your age, health history, and other factors. Always consult a qualified healthcare professional for personalised medical advice.
Results During Special Conditions
Maternal DNA contamination is a known challenge with the NIPGT test. Studies indicate that maternal DNA can make up a significant proportion of the total DNA in spent culture media, which may reduce the accuracy of ploidy detection. Your fertility team will factor this into their interpretation.
Additionally, because the test's specificity is not yet equivalent to conventional biopsy-based PGT-A, a chromosomally viable embryo may occasionally be misclassified. Your specialist will discuss whether confirmatory testing is appropriate in your case.
How to Maintain Healthy Levels
While chromosomal status in embryos is not something that can be directly altered, the following general steps support overall IVF success:
- Work with an experienced fertility team at an accredited IVF centre to ensure optimal embryo culture conditions
- Follow a balanced diet and maintain a healthy weight before and during IVF treatment
- Discuss with your fertility specialist whether conventional PGT-A is advisable as an additional step if results are uncertain
Lupin Diagnostics NIPGT (2 Spent Media) Test Price
The NIPGT (2 Spent Media) test cost starts at ₹24,000 at Lupin Diagnostics. This test requires a visit to a Lupin Diagnostics centre or coordination through your IVF clinic; home collection is not available for this test.
| City | Approximate Price (₹) |
|---|---|
| BHOPAL | 24000 |
| CHENNAI | 24000 |
| HYDERABAD | 24000 |
| KOLKATA | 24000 |
| NAVI MUMBAI | 24000 |
| PUNE | 24000 |
Disclaimer: Prices are indicative and may vary by location. Please confirm the current price at the time of booking.
How to Book
Follow these steps to book your NIPGT test online:
- Select the NIPGT (2 Spent Media) test on the Lupin Diagnostics website.
- Choose your city and preferred centre location.
- Visit the centre at your scheduled time, or coordinate sample dispatch directly through your IVF laboratory as advised.
- Receive your report via email or WhatsApp within the stipulated turnaround time.
Frequently Asked Questions
The NIPGT (2 Spent Media) test is a non-invasive genetic test performed during an IVF cycle. It analyses cell-free embryonic DNA found in the spent culture media from two embryos to assess whether they have the correct number of chromosomes, without requiring a physical biopsy of the embryo.
Conventional PGT-A involves removing a small number of cells directly from the embryo (a biopsy). The NIPGT test avoids this by analysing DNA that the embryo releases naturally into its culture media. This makes it a non-invasive alternative, though it is not yet considered a complete replacement for biopsy-based testing in all situations.
It means that spent culture media is collected from two separate embryos during the IVF cycle. Each embryo is cultured individually, and the media from each one is tested separately to assess the chromosomal status of both embryos.
This test is most commonly recommended for women aged 35 and above, couples with a history of repeated miscarriage or failed IVF cycles, those who have had a previous chromosomally abnormal pregnancy, and cases involving severe male factor infertility. Your fertility specialist will advise whether this test is appropriate for your situation.
Studies indicate an overall concordance of around 78% between spent media results and biopsy-based results, with some optimised protocols achieving up to 93.8% consistency. Your fertility specialist will discuss what the results mean in the context of your overall IVF plan.
No. This test requires the collection of embryo culture media under controlled laboratory conditions by a trained embryologist. It cannot be performed at home and must be carried out within your IVF facility.
The NIPGT test at Lupin Diagnostics has a turnaround time of 18 days. Your fertility specialist will advise you on how to plan your embryo transfer timeline based on when results are expected.
NIPGT (2 Spent Media) Test: Booking, Price, and Results
