title: Effect of prolonged storage of seminal plasma on levels of calcium and magnesium.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  In laboratories, the semen or seminal plasma samples are stored before estimation of different elements without knowing the adverse effect of storing. The present study shows the levels of Ca⁺⁺ and Mg⁺⁺ in the seminal plasma before and after the storage.
  
  
  METHODS
  Atomic absorption spectrophotometry (AAS) was used for estimating calcium and magnesium levels in the seminal plasma. Samples were stored for one year in different containers such as polyethylene, plastic, ordinary glass, and borosil glass. Calcium and magnesium levels were estimated after this period by AAS. The total area in contact with containers was considered in the final calculation.
  
  
  RESULTS
  After 1-year storage, the levels of calcium and magnesium had changed. The most suitable container for storage of calcium was ordinary glass (P > 0.05) whereas ordinary glass (P > 0.05), polyethylene (P > 0.05), and borosil glass (P > 0.05) are the most suitable for magnesium.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  In any elemental study, the most suitable containers are recommended for storage of the semen/seminal plasma samples.
authors.affiliation: Government Medical College, Surat, Gujarat, India.
authors.forename: J
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Valsa
authors.forename: K P
authors.initials: KP
authors.lastname: Skandhan
authors.forename: B
authors.initials: B
authors.lastname: Sumangala
authors.forename: P
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Sahab Khan
authors.forename: S
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Amith
mesh_terms: D002118:Calcium / Q000032:analysis*; D005898:Glass; D006801:Humans; D008274:Magnesium / Q000032:analysis*; D010969:Plastics; D012661:Semen / Q000737:chemistry*; D013048:Specimen Handling / Q000295:instrumentation*; D013997:Time Factors
chemical_list: D010969:Plastics; D008274:Magnesium; D002118:Calcium