title: Effects of time of collection and sample processing on von Willebrand factor concentration in retired racing greyhounds.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Concentrations of von Willebrand factor (vWF) are less than 30% in approximately 10% of Greyhounds.
  
  
  OBJECTIVE
  That sample collection, processing, and storage can affect the concentration of vWF in plasma of Greyhounds.
  
  
  METHODS
  Nineteen healthy former racing Greyhounds.
  
  
  METHODS
  Prospective study: Blood samples were obtained from the jugular vein of dogs at 4 times during the day. Samples were divided and processed in each of 3 ways. The 1st tube was centrifuged immediately, the 2nd tube was kept in a household refrigerator, and the 3rd tube was kept at room temperature for 3 hours before centrifugation and processing.
  
  
  RESULTS
  There were no significant differences in the vWF concentration between different sample storage and processing (P = 5.31). There was no statistically significant diurnal variation in vWF concentration in the samples evaluated (P = .37).
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Time of sample collection and short-term storage temperature do not influence the vWF concentration in retired racing Greyhounds.
authors.affiliation: Department of Veterinary Clinical Sciences, The Ohio State University, Columbus, OH, USA. marin.25@osu.edu
authors.forename: L M
authors.initials: LM
authors.lastname: Marín
authors.forename: C G
authors.initials: CG
authors.lastname: Couto
authors.forename: M C
authors.initials: MC
authors.lastname: Iazbik
authors.forename: N
authors.initials: N
authors.lastname: Westendorf
authors.forename: P Vilar
authors.initials: PV
authors.lastname: Saavedra
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D002940:Circadian Rhythm; D004285:Dogs / Q000097:blood*; D013048:Specimen Handling / Q000662:veterinary*; D013696:Temperature; D014841:von Willebrand Factor / Q000378:metabolism*
chemical_list: D014841:von Willebrand Factor