title: Effect of storage on measured blood lactate concentration. A research note.
abstract: It is not always convenient to analyse blood samples immediately after collection. The purpose of this study was to evaluate the effect of storage for 2 to 6 weeks on lactate concentration in whole blood samples. Following 219 outdoor running races, fingertip blood samples were obtained and immediately treated with an anticoagulant (EDTA), an erythrocyte-lysing agent (Triton X-100), and an anti-glycolytic agent (sodium fluoride). Samples were analysed shortly after they were obtained and then again after either 2 weeks (n = 73), 4 weeks (n = 73), or 6 weeks (n = 73). Results of ANOVAs revealed an effect of storage time on the measured concentration (F2,216 = 16.26, p < 0.01). There was no effect of storage for 2 or 4 weeks but, after 6 weeks, mean (+/- SD) blood lactate concentration values were 0.8 +/- 1.1 mM (+5%) higher than initially (t72 = 6.77, p < 0.01). It is concluded that blood samples treated with Triton X-100, EDTA, and sodium fluoride may be stored up to 4 weeks without appreciable effect on measured blood lactate concentration.
authors.affiliation: Department of Kinesiology, University of North Texas, Denton, USA.
authors.forename: D W
authors.initials: DW
authors.lastname: Hill
mesh_terms: D000704:Analysis of Variance; D001800:Blood Specimen Collection / Q000379:methods*; D003080:Cold Temperature; D004492:Edetic Acid; D006801:Humans; D007773:Lactates / Q000097:blood*; D017830:Octoxynol; D012420:Running / Q000502:physiology; D012969:Sodium Fluoride; D013997:Time Factors
chemical_list: D007773:Lactates; D012969:Sodium Fluoride; D017830:Octoxynol; D004492:Edetic Acid