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

1. 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

   • Bodily Fluid - Serum
   • Bodily Fluid - Blood

   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

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