ONLY VIAGUARD OFFERS THE EXCLUSIVE
CLINICAL PRECISION OF
DNAFFIRM TECHNOLOGY EXPEDITED SERVICE AT NO EXTRA COST.
IN WHAT IS OFTEN A SENSITIVE SITUATION,
LET VIAGUARD DISCREETLY HANDLE EVERY ASPECT
All Tests Can Be Done For Legal Purposes.
Every Viaguard Test is Available Internationally.
Call & Speak Directly & Confidentially to a Professional.
Prenatal Paternity Testing
Viaguard / Accu-Metrics offers the most thorough and flexible options for expectant mothers with both invasive and
non-invasive methods for prenatal determination.
Paternal DNA Samples
As in all paternity testing, DNA samples are required from the potential father(s). They
are usually acquired by obtaining paternal buccal swab samples using our kit or at our
facility. Paternity samples can also be acquired without the potential father(s)
knowledge using a variety of discreet DNA samples as listed below under the
heading discrete prenatal paternity testing.
It is best to call us directly and have us explain the options and answer your question, call-(416) 691-4167 or
toll free at 1-877-842-4827.
DNA in vitro and surrogate testing is now available to fertility clinics and individuals.
Non-invasive procedures
Non-invasive procedures are used in the vast majority of pre-natal paternity determinations because the procedures involve
no risk to the fetus since there is no invasion of uterine/placental integrity. Viaguard’s DNAffirm technology provides
definitive pre-natal paternity determination using a small sample of maternal blood as a source of fetal DNA and buccal swabs
from the potential father(s).
Viaguard offers every option but strongly recommends safe, exclusive, non-invasive DNAffirm technology
Viaguard is the recognized world leader in non-invasive DNA prenatal paternity determination. Tests can be done
no matter where the parties live and we will handle all the details.
Maternal Venous Blood - safe and non-invasive
Viaguard’s prenatal paternity testing is based on comparing the potential father(s) DNA, obtained by buccal swabs or other
methods, to the DNA of the fetus as evidenced in fetal DNA material found in the maternal venous blood. Non-invasive testing is
done on samples from anywhere in the world, using our exclusive accu-stable collection system which we supply .
The placenta is a wall of tissue that forms inside the uterus during pregnancy, and is comprised of fetal cells.
The placenta enables the fetus to receive, during gestation, all the nutrients and oxygen needed for normal development.
The fetal side of the placental barrier has an intricate network of thousands of minute blood vessels, which are in fact the
fetal blood supply, which receives food and oxygen by diffusion from the maternal side of the placenta.
Research studies demonstrate that the placenta is not just a passive membrane, but serves a vital function in fetal brain development. The placenta synthesizes serotonin and releases it in the fetal blood supply where it travels to the fetal brain. This supply of serotonin is essential for fetal brain development and failure to provide this supply can result in later mental and physical problems in the child. Because the placenta is so important in brain development Viaguard strongly recommends the use of its safe and non-invasive maternal venus blood sample, drawn from the mother’s arm and not the use of invasive technologies which may traumatize the placenta.
At no time do the maternal and fetal blood supply mix, and waste from the fetus diffuses through the placenta into the
maternal blood supply. Included in this diffusion is fetal DNA, which is a normal component of maternal blood during gestation.
Fetal DNA is found in cells that migrate, but the most important source is cell-free molecules of fetal DNA. These are formed
during the development of the fetus and placenta, because there is a certain amount of cell lysis and apoptosis. It is this
naked fetal DNA, once isolated, which is used in the Viaguard prenatal test for paternity determination.
After 13 weeks of gestation we will arrange for you to attend at a local laboratory and have two mini-vacutainers containers
of blood drawn.
We supply the laboratory with the specialized collection tubes to be used for this purpose and returned to us after the
collected blood has been centrifuged and the maternal blood cells separated, leaving plasma.
The plasma portion is rich in fetal DNA, which is stabilized and preserved in our special collection system. This fetal DNA
is matched against the paternal DNA and yields a conclusive result. Complete cost of the test is $980.00.
Finger-prick Method
The finger-prick test is an exclusive DNAffirm technology test that allows us to locate fetal cells in a few drops of blood
and then use QFPCR (Quantitative Fluorescent Polymerase Chain Reaction) to analyze fetal DNA.
The technique is used after the 8th week of gestation, and if sufficient fetal DNA is isolated the results are 99.9%
definitive. However in many cases we are unable to isolate sufficient fetal DNA and so the test results are deemed inconclusive.
In that case the cost of the test is fully applied against the venous blood procedure (done after week 13) so you pay only
the difference in price (about $680.00). The client also has the option of a no-cost DNA test on the baby using DNA buccal
cell swabs.
Call us to discus your options.
Finger-prick Test cost is $299.00
Invasive procedures
Chorionic Villus Sampling (CVS)
CVS cell sampling involves taking a tiny tissue sample from the outside wall of the placenta, the sac wrapped around the fetus.
The placenta is the connection between mother and baby which allows substances to pass from mother to baby and baby to mother.
The fetus and the placenta both develop from the same zygote and are genetically identical.
A withdrawal of a small amount of the developing placenta can be done after 10 weeks of gestation. The Villi are finger
like projections rich in fetal cells. The two techniques used in sampling are trans-cervically or trans-abdominally depending
on the position of the placenta.
The procedure is usually proceeded by an ultrasound followed by CVS withdrawal and the entire process takes about 15-20
minutes with minimal discomfort. The sample of CVS cells are sent to us and paternity results are definitive and the cost of
the test is $399.00.
Amniocentesis
The withdraw of a small amount of amniotic fluid from the uterus is done after 13 weeks of gestation. The patient lies down
on the examination table and using ultrasound the doctor will locate a small pocket of amniotic fluid, inserts a needle, and
withdraws the sample. The discomfort is usually of very short duration. The amniotic fluid sample is collected in a special
kit which we supply and then returned to us for DNA analysis. Results are definitive and the cost of the test is $399.00.
While they are excellent sources of fetal DNA, CVS cells and Amniotic fluid are not used frequently in fetal DNA analysis
because many doctors are not concerned with paternity issues since invasive procedures involve a small element of rick to the
fetus. They tend to use these techniques primarily for taking DNA samples to test for defective genes or health related issues.
This means most women who wish a prenatal paternity test use readily available non-invasive techniques.
Discrete Prenatal Paternity Testing
There may be occasions when the mother to be does not want the potential father(s) to be
aware of her prenatal paternity test. Viaguard performs many prenatal tests where only the
mother to be is aware of the test.
DNA samples from the potential father(s) can be obtained from a variety of discreet
sources including but not limited to:
- Mucous (used Kleenex)
- A spot of blood or any blood sample
- Semen (used condom etc..)
- Nail clippings
- Ear wax
- Razor (including electric)
- Cigarette butts (2 or more)
- Chewing gum
- Toothbrush
- Saliva (on cups, envelopes etc..)
The fetal DNA sample is obtained by the usual non-invasive or invasive methodology
previously described.
Every situation is unique and we recommend you call Viaguard to discus your personal situation in confidence
at (416)691-4167 or toll free at 1-877-842-4827.
Whose Sperm Cell - A Question of Paternity
When sperm cells are ejaculated in semen during intercourse, they are deposited close to the entrance to the uterus.
A normal ejaculation (about a teaspoon) contains 200-500 million sperm cells.
As an egg is released by one of the ovaries, the normally impenetrable mucous at the opening of the uterus becomes
sufficiently watery and porous for sperm penetration by about 1% of the sperm cells. During this period of female fertility,
only a few hundred of these sperm cells reach the upper part of the fallopian tubes where fertilization can occur.
Sperm cells can survive in the fallopian tubes for up to seven days after coitus. This long survival period, combind with
the difficulty of ascertaining the exact day of fertilization, creates problems determining paternity when there has been
more than one sexual partner. Thus, pre-natal paternity testing may be advisable.
Prenatal DNA Testing / In Vitro Fertilization / Surrogates
Connecting the Genes
In vitro fertilization and uterine embryo transfer are an emotional experience for all participants. A completed procedure
should, after 13 weeks of gestation, include DNA genetic confirmation of the biological parents and evidence the surrogate has
no genetic linkage. This documented confirmation is increasingly required by the courts, hospitals, and concerned biological
parents. It may be in some cases essential to allow for a birth registration naming the genetic mother.
The documentation issued by fertility clinics, while very substantive, may not by itself be accepted as definitive evidence of
the true genetic parents, and thus the need for DNA testing. The methodology used by Viaguard addresses these issues and includes
the use of legal chain of custody procedures whether samples are taken at our facility or at a remote location as directed
by Viaguard.
DNA samples (buccal swabs) are collected from the presumed biological parents and the surrogate. Fetal DNA is obtained by
taking a small venous blood sample from the surrogate after 13 weeks of gestation and then isolating the plasma and obtaining
viable samples of fetal DNA. The results of the test will prove:
- The presumed biological parents are indeed the genetic parents of the fetus
- The absence of any surrogate genetic link to the fetus
The certified documents prepared by Viaguard facilitate birth registration and provide assurances to all parties.
To discuss your individual circumstances in complete confidence, contact Viaguard at 416-691-4167 or 1-877-842-4827.
