NIPGT (4 Spent Media) Test: Booking, Price, and Results
About NIPGT (4 Spent Media) Test: Booking, Price, and Results
| Field | Value |
|---|---|
| Also Known As | niPGT, Non-invasive Preimplantation Genetic Testing, NiPGT-A, NiPGT-M, NiPGT-SR, Non-invasive PGT |
| Sample Type | Spent embryo culture medium (liquid in which embryos are grown during IVF), collected from 4 individual embryo samples |
| Fasting Required | No. The sample is collected from the embryo culture medium in the IVF laboratory, not directly from the patient. |
| Report Time | 18 Days |
| Recommended For | Couples undergoing IVF, particularly those with advanced maternal age (over 35 years), recurrent miscarriage, repeated IVF failure, or known genetic conditions |
| Price | Starting at ₹48,000 |
What is a NIPGT (4 Spent Media) Test?
The NIPGT test is a non-invasive method of testing the genetic health of embryos during an IVF cycle. It analyses cell-free DNA (cfDNA) or spent culture media that the embryos naturally release into the liquid medium in which they are grown.
Non-invasive Preimplantation Genetic Testing, or NIPGT, covers 4 separate embryo samples. It is typically recommended by fertility specialists before an embryo transfer is planned.
What Does a NIPGT (4 Spent Media) Test Measure?
The NIPGT test procedure examines cfDNA shed into the spent culture medium by each embryo. The following parameters are assessed for each of the 4 samples.
| Parameter | What it Looks for |
|---|---|
| Chromosomal ploidy status | Whether the embryo has the correct number of chromosomes (46 in total) |
| Aneuploidy (NiPGT-A) | Extra or missing chromosomes, such as trisomies and monosomies |
| Monogenic disorders (NiPGT-M) | Specific inherited single-gene conditions, such as thalassaemia or cystic fibrosis |
| Structural rearrangements (NiPGT-SR) | Chromosomal structural changes such as translocations or inversions |
| Sex chromosomes | Whether the embryo carries XX (female) or XY (male) chromosomes |
Why is a NIPGT (4 Spent Media) Test Done?
The NIPGT test helps fertility specialists identify embryos with the best chance of a healthy implantation. Below are the common reasons a specialist may recommend it.
Common Symptoms That May Require This Test
The following clinical situations often lead to a recommendation for this test:
- Advanced maternal age (over 35 to 37 years), which increases the risk of chromosomal errors in embryos
- Recurrent pregnancy loss or repeated miscarriages
- Repeated IVF failure despite apparently healthy embryos
- Previous pregnancy or child with a chromosomal condition
- Known genetic disorder in one or both partners
- Severe male factor infertility
- Preference to avoid invasive embryo biopsy
Conditions This Test Can Help Detect
The test can provide information relevant to the following conditions:
- Trisomy 21 (Down syndrome), trisomy 18 (Edwards syndrome), and trisomy 13 (Patau syndrome)
- Monosomy X (Turner syndrome)
- Single-gene disorders such as thalassaemia, sickle cell disease, cystic fibrosis, and Tay-Sachs disease
- Chromosomal structural rearrangements, including translocations and inversions
How to Prepare and What to Expect
The NIPGT test procedure does not involve any sample collection from the patient. Instead, the sample is collected in the IVF laboratory during embryo culture. Here is what couples need to know before the test.
Do You Need to Fast?
No fasting is required. Because the sample is spent embryo culture medium and not a blood or urine sample from the patient, there are no dietary restrictions.
Practical Tips Before Your Test
The following steps will help ensure the test can proceed smoothly:
- Confirm with your fertility specialist that you are actively undergoing an IVF cycle before requesting this test
- Attend genetic counselling before testing to understand what results may mean for your treatment decisions
- Inform your fertility team of any known genetic conditions in your family history
- Bring a detailed clinical history, including your symptoms, previous test results, and family history, as this is required for the test
- Ensure all required consent forms and the test request form (TRF) are duly signed and submitted before the embryo culture begins
- Ask your IVF centre about the specific embryo culture protocol used, as preferred samples are from Day 5 or Day 6 blastocysts
Step-by-Step Procedure
The following steps describe how the spent media sample is collected and processed:
- Your embryos are fertilised and placed in individual drops of culture medium in the IVF laboratory, starting on Day 1 of development.
- Each embryo grows in its own separate culture medium. Over Days 4 to 6, cfDNA is naturally released into this liquid.
- On Day 5 or Day 6, the spent culture medium from each of the 4 embryos is carefully collected by the embryology team.
- One mandatory control media sample is also collected alongside the 4 embryo samples to ensure accurate analysis.
- All samples are stored at -20°C (dry ice conditions) and sent to the Lupin Diagnostics laboratory for analysis.
- In the laboratory, Next Generation Sequencing (NGS) is used to read cfDNA and assess each embryo's chromosomal profile. Results are prepared and reported within 18 days.
Factors That Can Affect Accuracy
Several factors can influence how reliably the test performs:
- Maternal DNA contamination in the culture medium, which can dilute the embryonic DNA signal
- Low cfDNA concentration in the sample, particularly from lower-quality embryos
- The day of collection — Day 6 blastocysts tend to release more cfDNA than Day 5, which can affect the informativity rate
- Quality of embryo culture conditions and laboratory protocols
- Embryo mosaicism, where an embryo contains a mix of normal and abnormal cells
Understanding Your NIPGT (4 Spent Media) Test Results
Results from the NIPGT test describe the chromosomal status of each embryo tested. A fertility specialist and genetic counsellor will review these findings alongside your full clinical picture before recommending next steps.
| Result Category | Meaning |
|---|---|
| Euploid | The embryo has the correct 46 chromosomes. Generally considered suitable for transfer. |
| Aneuploid | The embryo has an extra or missing chromosome. Associated with a higher risk of failed transfer or miscarriage. |
| Mosaic | The embryo contains a mix of normal and abnormal cells. Requires careful discussion with your fertility specialist. |
| Inconclusive | No clear result due to low DNA concentration, contamination, or technical factors. Re-testing may be considered. |
| XX | Female embryo with normal sex chromosomes |
| XY | Male embryo with normal sex chromosomes |
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
Certain clinical factors can affect how results should be read:
Maternal DNA contamination is present at high levels in spent culture medium, which means the proportion of embryonic DNA in any given sample may be small. This can reduce the reliability of the result in some cases. Your laboratory will account for this during analysis.
Embryo mosaicism (a mix of normal and abnormal cells) is another factor that requires careful interpretation, as such embryos are not automatically unsuitable for transfer, and each case must be assessed individually.
How to Maintain Healthy Levels
While there are no lifestyle interventions that directly affect embryo chromosomal status, the following general steps support your IVF journey:
- Follow all dietary and lifestyle guidance provided by your fertility specialist during the IVF cycle
- Attend genetic counselling sessions to understand your results and their implications fully
- Note that the NIPGT (4 Spent Media) Test is a screening tool and, like all screening methods, cannot offer a result with absolute certainty. Confirmatory prenatal testing during pregnancy is still recommended for high-risk cases
Lupin Diagnostics NIPGT (4 Spent Media) Test Price
The NIPGT test cost at Lupin Diagnostics starts at ₹48,000 for 4 spent media samples. This test requires a visit to a Lupin Diagnostics centre or coordination with your IVF laboratory. Home collection is not available for this test.
| City | Approximate Price (₹) |
|---|---|
| BHOPAL | 48000 |
| CHENNAI | 48000 |
| HYDERABAD | 48000 |
| KOLKATA | 48000 |
| NAVI MUMBAI | 48000 |
| PUNE | 48000 |
Disclaimer: Prices are indicative and may vary by location. Please confirm the current price at the time of booking.
How to Book
The following steps outline the NIPGT test online booking process or through a centre:
- Select the NIPGT (4 Spent Media) test on the Lupin Diagnostics website.
- Choose your city and preferred centre location.
- Visit the centre at your scheduled time, or coordinate with your IVF laboratory to dispatch the sample as per Lupin Diagnostics' guidelines.
- Receive your report via email or WhatsApp within 18 days of sample receipt.
Frequently Asked Questions
The test analyses- spent embryo culture medium from 4 individual embryos. Each embryo is grown in its own separate liquid medium, and the spent medium from each one is collected and tested independently, giving a chromosomal result for each embryo.
Standard PGT requires a physical biopsy of cells from the embryo, which is a skilled procedure that carries a small risk to the embryo. The NIPGT test analyses DNA that the embryo releases naturally into its culture medium, so the embryo itself is left untouched throughout the process.
Studies report a high concordance between NIPGT results and those from traditional trophectoderm biopsy. One study showed a positive predictive value of 93.5% for ploidy status. However, it is a screening test and not a guarantee. Confirmatory prenatal testing during pregnancy is still advised.
The test is recommended for couples undergoing IVF who want to improve the chances of a successful embryo transfer. It is particularly useful for those with advanced maternal age, a history of recurrent miscarriage, repeated IVF failure, or a known genetic condition in the family.
At Lupin Diagnostics, the report is delivered within 18 days of sample receipt. This accounts for the specialised NGS analysis and quality checks required to process 4 spent media samples.
No test can guarantee a healthy pregnancy. The NIPGT test is a screening tool that helps identify embryos with a normal chromosomal profile, improving the likelihood of successful implantation. It does not screen for every possible genetic condition, and prenatal testing during pregnancy remains important.
The NIPGT (4 Spent Media) Test home collection is not available. The sample for this test is spent embryo culture medium, which can only be collected in a specialised IVF laboratory during an active embryo culture cycle. The sample is then dispatched to the Lupin Diagnostics laboratory under dry ice conditions for analysis.
NIPGT (4 Spent Media) Test: Booking, Price, and Results
