PP13 stability in first trimester maternal serum and whole blood.
BACKGROUND
Maternal serum placental protein 13 (PP13) has been proposed as a marker for prenatal screening of pre-eclampsia (PE) and other adverse pregnancy outcomes. This study aims to examine the stability of PP13 at different routine temperatures.


METHODS
Maternal serum pools and whole blood samples were stored at '30 degrees C', room temperature or refrigerator temperature. Further, serum pools were also subjected to repeated freeze-thaw cycles. PP13 was measured at set time points using an AutoDELFIA research assay.


RESULTS
Levels of PP13 are stable, defined as less than 10% change in concentration, in serum for 17.4 h at '30 degrees C', 3.4 days at room temperature and for at least 34 days at refrigerator temperature. PP13 concentration is not altered following three -20 degrees C to room temperature freeze-thaw cycles. PP13 is stable in whole blood for at least 3 days at all three temperatures studied.


CONCLUSIONS
PP13 is a suitably stable molecule and can be treated under routine laboratory and normal transport temperatures.
Prenatal Research Unit, Clinical Biochemistry Department, King George Hospital, Goodmayes IG3 8YB, UK.
N J
NJ
Cowans
A
A
Stamatopoulou
S
S
Jaakohuhta
S
S
Hentunen
K
K
Spencer
D001793:Blood Preservation / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000379:methods; D001800:Blood Specimen Collection / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000379:methods; D003955:Diagnostic Tests, Routine / Q000379:methods; D005260:Female; D037161:Galectins / Q000097:blood* / Q000378:metabolism*; D005865:Gestational Age; D006801:Humans; D009035:Mothers; D011247:Pregnancy; D011257:Pregnancy Proteins / Q000097:blood* / Q000378:metabolism*; D011261:Pregnancy Trimester, First / Q000097:blood* / Q000378:metabolism; D011296:Prenatal Diagnosis / Q000379:methods; D055550:Protein Stability; D044967:Serum / Q000737:chemistry / Q000378:metabolism; D013696:Temperature; D013997:Time Factors
D037161:Galectins; C038195:LGALS13 protein, human; D011257:Pregnancy Proteins