NIPGT (5 Spent Media) Test: Booking, Price, and Results
About NIPGT (5 Spent Media) Test: Booking, Price, and Results
| Field | Value |
|---|---|
| Also Known As | niPGT, Non-Invasive Preimplantation Genetic Testing, niPGT-A, NICS (Non-Invasive Chromosome Screening) |
| Sample Type | Spent embryo culture medium (5 samples collected in the IVF laboratory) |
| Fasting Required | Not applicable. This test analyses embryo culture medium, not a patient's blood or urine sample. |
| Report Time | 18 days |
| Recommended For | Couples undergoing IVF, particularly those with advanced maternal age, recurrent pregnancy loss, or repeated IVF failure |
| Price | Starting at ₹60,000 |
What is a NIPGT (5 Spent Media) Test?
The NIPGT test (Non-Invasive Preimplantation Genetic Testing) is a specialised genetic test performed on spent embryo culture medium during an IVF cycle. It analyses cell-free DNA naturally released by embryos into the surrounding culture fluid, providing information about each embryo's chromosomal status.
The test covers five spent media samples, making it suitable for IVF cycles where multiple embryos are available. It is sometimes called niPGT or NICS (Non-Invasive Chromosome Screening).
What Does a NIPGT (5 Spent Media) Test Measure?
This test examines genetic material present in the fluid surrounding embryos during IVF culture. The table below outlines what is assessed.
| Component | What It Tells You |
|---|---|
| Cell-free DNA (cfDNA) | Genetic material released naturally by the embryo into the culture medium |
| Chromosomal aneuploidy | Whether an embryo has an abnormal number of chromosomes (extra or missing) |
| Ploidy status | Whether the embryo is euploid (normal), aneuploid (abnormal), or mosaic (mixed) |
| Structural rearrangements | Potential presence of unbalanced chromosomal segments |
Why is a NIPGT (5 Spent Media) Test Done?
This test is ordered by fertility specialists during an IVF cycle to assess embryo chromosomal health before transfer. Understanding chromosomal status helps guide which embryo is most likely to result in a successful pregnancy.
Common Indications That May Require This Test
The following situations commonly lead a fertility specialist to recommend the NIPGT test:
- Advanced maternal age (35 years or older)
- Recurrent pregnancy loss or miscarriages
- Repeated IVF failure or implantation failure
- Previous pregnancy with chromosomal abnormality
- Male factor infertility requiring ICSI
- Wish to reduce genetic risk without invasive embryo biopsy
Conditions This Test Can Help Detect
The NIPGT (5 Spent Media) test can help identify the following chromosomal issues in embryos:
- Aneuploidy (abnormal chromosome count), which is a leading cause of implantation failure and miscarriage
- Chromosomal trisomies (extra chromosomes, such as Trisomy 21)
- Monosomies (missing chromosomes)
- Mosaicism (a mixture of normal and abnormal cells within the embryo)
- Unbalanced structural chromosomal rearrangements
How to Prepare and What to Expect
The NIPGT test procedure is carried out entirely in the IVF laboratory. Preparation focuses on ensuring the laboratory follows the correct protocols for sample collection.
Do You Need to Fast?
Fasting is not required. This test is not performed on a patient's blood or urine sample. It is performed on spent culture medium collected from embryos in the IVF laboratory.
Practical Tips Before Your Test
The following steps help ensure accurate sample collection and test processing:
- Embryos must be cultured individually (single embryo culture) so that the medium from each embryo can be collected separately
- Ensure the IVF laboratory follows strict sterile protocols to reduce the risk of contamination
- Bring a detailed clinical history, including your symptoms, previous test results, and family history, as this is required for the test
- Carry duly filled test request forms and signed consent forms to the IVF centre
- Discuss with your fertility specialist whether this test is appropriate for your specific IVF cycle
- Spent media collected on day 5 or day 6 of embryo culture is preferred for the best results
Step-by-Step NIPGT (5 Spent Media) Test Procedure
- Embryos are cultured individually in a specialised medium inside the IVF laboratory during your treatment cycle.
- As the embryo develops, it naturally releases small amounts of genetic material (cell-free DNA) into the surrounding fluid.
- After embryo cultivation, typically on day 5 or day 6, the spent culture medium is carefully collected from each embryo.
- One control media sample (mandatory) is included alongside the five spent media samples and dispatched on dry ice for stability.
- The samples are processed using next-generation sequencing (NGS), an advanced technique that reads the genetic information from the cell-free DNA.
- Results are reviewed by a specialist and reported within the turnaround period. Embryos remain completely intact throughout the process as no cells are physically removed.
Factors That Can Affect Accuracy
The following factors may influence the reliability of test results:
- Low quantities of cell-free DNA in the culture medium, which can occasionally lead to test failure
- Maternal DNA contamination in the spent medium, which can affect the interpretation of the results
- Quality of embryo development and duration of culture
- Day 6 samples tend to show higher consistency with biopsy results compared to day 5 samples
- Adherence to laboratory standardisation and collection protocols
Understanding Your NIPGT (5 Spent Media) Test Results
Results from this test provide chromosomal status for each embryo tested. A reproductive medicine specialist or genetic counsellor will interpret the findings in the context of your full IVF treatment plan.
| Embryo Status | Chromosome Number | Interpretation |
|---|---|---|
| Euploid | 46 chromosomes (23 pairs) | Normal chromosome complement; suitable for transfer consideration |
| Aneuploid | Abnormal chromosome number | Extra or missing chromosomes; typically not recommended for transfer |
| Mosaic | Mixed cell population (20% to 80% abnormal cells) | Requires careful assessment and genetic counselling before the transfer decision |
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 in spent culture medium can be significant, with studies showing that embryonic DNA may make up only a small proportion of the total DNA present. This can affect the accuracy of the results and may lead to sex chromosome discordance (for example, an embryo reported as a different sex than it actually is).
The timing of medium collection and the type of culture medium used can also influence DNA yield and result reliability.
How to Maintain Healthy Levels
The following general tips support overall reproductive health during an IVF cycle:
- Follow your fertility specialist's advice closely regarding embryo selection and transfer planning
- Consider speaking with a genetic counsellor to understand your results fully before making transfer decisions
- Maintain balanced nutrition and a stable lifestyle during your IVF cycle to support overall reproductive wellbeing
Lupin Diagnostics NIPGT (5 Spent Media) Test Price
The NIPGT test cost starts at ₹60,000. This test requires a visit to a Lupin Diagnostics centre or partner IVF laboratory. NIPGT test home collection is not available due to the specialised nature of embryo culture medium collection.
| City | Approximate Price (₹) |
|---|---|
| BHOPAL | 60000 |
| CHENNAI | 60000 |
| HYDERABAD | 60000 |
| KOLKATA | 60000 |
| NAVI MUMBAI | 60000 |
| PUNE | 60000 |
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 for the NIPGT test online booking or at a centre:
- Select the NIPGT (5 Spent Media) test on the Lupin Diagnostics website.
- Choose your city and preferred centre location.
- Visit the centre or partner IVF facility at your scheduled time for sample coordination.
- Receive your report via email or WhatsApp within the stipulated turnaround time.
Frequently Asked Questions
Traditional PGT-A involves physically removing one or more cells from the embryo (a biopsy), which is an invasive step. The NIPGT test analyses genetic material found in the spent culture fluid, so the embryo is not touched or damaged in any way. Both methods aim to assess chromosomal status before embryo transfer.
This test is particularly useful for couples with advanced maternal age (35 years or older), a history of recurrent miscarriages, or multiple failed IVF cycles. Couples who prefer a non-invasive approach to embryo genetic assessment may also benefit from this option.
Studies report that the NIPGT test procedure can achieve a positive predictive value of up to 93.5%, with around 78% consistency observed between spent culture medium results and traditional embryo biopsy results in large-scale studies. Accuracy can be influenced by DNA quantity, contamination, and the timing of sample collection.
No. Because no cells are physically removed from the embryo, there is no risk of biopsy-induced damage. The embryo remains completely intact throughout the entire process, which may support better implantation outcomes.
Results for the NIPGT (5 Spent Media) test are typically delivered within 18 days. Your IVF team will advise on the specific timeline for your cycle and what the results mean for your treatment plan.
If all tested embryos show chromosomal abnormalities, your fertility specialist will discuss available options, which may include another IVF cycle, the use of donor eggs, or other pathways. A genetic counsellor can help you understand what the results mean and guide your next steps.
The NIPGT test is a relatively newer technology and is not available at all IVF centres. Some facilities are still in the process of validating this method. It is best to check directly with your fertility clinic about their experience and capacity for this type of testing.
NIPGT (5 Spent Media) Test: Booking, Price, and Results
