title: The effect of storage temperature and physical state on the performance of antisera in radioimmunoassay after long-term storage.
abstract: The performance in radioimmunoassay of four antisera after storage at temperatures ranging from -40 degrees C to room temperature, in three physical states (frozen, liquid or freeze dried) was investigated over a 3-year period. No deterioration in antiserum performance in terms of precision and accuracy of quality control serum measurement or recovery of ligand was apparent under any of the storage conditions studied. Some lowering of titre became apparent in two of the antisera over the study period. Deterioration was most marked when antiserum was stored lyophilised at room temperature. Storage of antiserum frozen confers no advantage over storage at 4 degrees C provided precautions are taken to minimise bacterial contamination when storing antiserum in liquid form.
authors.affiliation: Department of Biochemistry, University of Surrey, Guildford, UK.
authors.forename: B A
authors.initials: BA
authors.lastname: Middleton
authors.forename: L M
authors.initials: LM
authors.lastname: Morgan
authors.forename: G W
authors.initials: GW
authors.lastname: Aherne
authors.forename: V
authors.initials: V
authors.lastname: Marks
mesh_terms: D006801:Humans; D006854:Hydrocortisone / Q000097:blood; D007106:Immune Sera / Q000592:standards*; D007328:Insulin / Q000097:blood; D008727:Methotrexate / Q000097:blood; D011309:Preservation, Biological; D011786:Quality Control; D011863:Radioimmunoassay; D013696:Temperature; D013997:Time Factors
chemical_list: D007106:Immune Sera; D007328:Insulin; D006854:Hydrocortisone; D008727:Methotrexate