Stability of testosterone measured in male archival serum samples by two different methods.
Author(s): Gislefoss RE, Grimsrud TK, Høie K, Mørkrid L
Publication: Scand J Clin Lab Invest, 2012, Vol. 72, Page 555-62
PubMed ID: 22935045 PubMed Review Paper? No
Purpose of Paper
Conclusion of Paper
Studies
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Study Purpose
The purpose of this study was to determine the effects of up to 29 years of storage of serum at -25 degrees C on measurement of testosterone by ECLI and LC-MSMS and on levels of free testosterone, LH, FSH, cotinine, and sodium. Blood was allowed to clot at room temperature and was stored overnight, at 4 degrees C, prior to centrifugation. Serum was stored in polypropylene tubes at -25 degrees C. Free testosterone was calculated from the testosterone concentration determined by LC-MSMS and the sex-hormone binding globulin and albumin concentrations.
Summary of Findings:
Testosterone and calculated free testosterone concentrations increased with increasing storage, but significance was only reached after 17 years by ECLI and 29 years by LC-MSMS. Sodium concentrations in serum increased 3.9% over the 29 years of storage, which the authors attribute to sublimation. Only clinically irrelevant changes in LH and FSH were observed after 29 years of serum storage. There was a weak but significant correlation between LH and testosterone levels in serum. The authors report that neither the season of collection nor cotinine levels had effects on testosterone levels in serum.
Biospecimens
Preservative Types
- Frozen
Diagnoses:
- Normal
Platform:
Analyte Technology Platform Steroid Clinical chemistry/auto analyzer Steroid LC-MS or LC-MS/MS Glycoprotein Clinical chemistry/auto analyzer Electrolyte/Metal Clinical chemistry/auto analyzer Small molecule LC-MS or LC-MS/MS Protein Clinical chemistry/auto analyzer Pre-analytical Factors:
Classification Pre-analytical Factor Value(s) Storage Storage duration 1 month
4 years
17 years
29 years
Biospecimen Acquisition Time of biospecimen collection Winter (Oct.-Feb.)
Summer (March-Sept.)
Clinical chemistry/auto analyzer Specific Technology platform LC-MSMS
Electrochemiluminescent immunoassy