Validation of an enzyme-linked immunoassay (ELISA) for plasma oxytocin in a novel mammal species reveals potential errors induced by sampling procedure.
BACKGROUND
The neuropeptide oxytocin is increasingly the focus of many studies investigating human and animal social behaviours and diseases. However, interpretation and comparison of results is made difficult by a lack of consistent methodological approaches towards analysing this hormone.


METHODS
This study determined the sample collection and analysis protocols that cause the least amounts of protocol dependant variation in plasma oxytocin concentrations detected by ELISA. The effect of vacutainer type, sample extraction prior to analysis and capture and restraint protocol were investigated while validating an assay protocol for two novel species, grey seals (Halichoerus grypus) and harbour seals (Phoca vitulina).


RESULTS
Where samples are extracted prior to analysis, vacutainer type (EDTA mean: 8.25±0.56 pg/ml, heparin mean: 8.25±0.62 pg/ml, p=0.82), time taken to obtain a sample and restraint protocol did not affect the concentration of oxytocin detected. However, concentrations of oxytocin detected in raw plasma samples were significantly higher than those in extracted samples, and varied significantly with vacutainer type (EDTA mean: 534.4±43.7 pg/ml, heparin mean: 300.9±19.6 pg/ml, p<0.001) and capture and restraint methodology. There was no relationship between oxytocin concentrations detected in raw and extracted plasma (p=0.25).


CONCLUSIONS
Over half the reviewed published studies analysing plasma oxytocin use raw plasma and different vacutainer types are used without consistency or justification through-out the literature.


CONCLUSIONS
We caution that studies using raw plasma are likely to over estimate oxytocin concentrations, cannot be used to accurately infer true values via correlations and are susceptible to variation according vacutainer type.
Sea Mammal Research Unit, Scottish Oceans Institute, University of St Andrews, St Andrews, Fife KY16 8LB, UK. Electronic address: kjr33@st-andrews.ac.uk.
Kelly J
KJ
Robinson
Scottish Oceans Institute, University of St Andrews, Scotland KY16 8LB, UK.
Neil
N
Hazon
Sea Mammal Research Unit, Scottish Oceans Institute, University of St Andrews, St Andrews, Fife KY16 8LB, UK.
Mike
M
Lonergan
Sea Mammal Research Unit, Scottish Oceans Institute, University of St Andrews, St Andrews, Fife KY16 8LB, UK.
Patrick P
PP
Pomeroy
D000818:Animals; D000925:Anticoagulants / Q000494:pharmacology; D001774:Blood Chemical Analysis / Q000295:instrumentation / Q000379:methods*; D004797:Enzyme-Linked Immunosorbent Assay / Q000295:instrumentation / Q000379:methods*; D005260:Female; D006493:Heparin / Q000494:pharmacology; D008297:Male; D010121:Oxytocin / Q000097:blood*; D046049:Phoca / Q000097:blood*; D010949:Plasma / Q000737:chemistry / Q000187:drug effects; D015203:Reproducibility of Results; D012149:Restraint, Physical / Q000379:methods; D046048:Seals, Earless / Q000097:blood*; D013045:Species Specificity; D013048:Specimen Handling / Q000295:instrumentation / Q000379:methods*; D013997:Time Factors
D000925:Anticoagulants; D010121:Oxytocin; D006493:Heparin
EDTA; Extraction; Heparin; Oxytocin; Plasma; Seal