title: World Endometriosis Research Foundation Endometriosis Phenome and Biobanking Harmonization Project: III. Fluid biospecimen collection, processing, and storage in endometriosis research.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  To harmonize standard operating procedures (SOPs) and standardize the recording of associated data for collection, processing, and storage of fluid biospecimens relevant to endometriosis.
  
  
  METHODS
  An international collaboration involving 34 clinical/academic centers and 3 industry collaborators from 16 countries on 5 continents.
  
  
  METHODS
  In 2013, 2 workshops were conducted, followed by global consultation, bringing together 54 leaders in endometriosis research and sample processing worldwide.
  
  
  METHODS
  None.
  
  
  METHODS
  Consensus SOPs were based on: [1] systematic comparison of SOPs from 18 global centers collecting fluid samples from women with and without endometriosis on a medium/large scale (publication on >100 cases), [2] literature evidence where available, or consultation with laboratory experts otherwise, and [3] several global consultation rounds.
  
  
  METHODS
  Standard recommended and minimum required SOPs for biofluid collection, processing, and storage in endometriosis research.
  
  
  RESULTS
  We developed recommended standard and minimum required SOPs for the collection, processing, and storage of plasma, serum, saliva, urine, endometrial/peritoneal fluid, and menstrual effluent, and a biospecimen data-collection form necessary for interpretation of sample-derived results.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  The Endometriosis Phenome and Biobanking Harmonisation Project SOPs allow endometriosis research centers to decrease variability in biofluid sample results, facilitating between-center comparisons and collaborations. The procedures are also relevant to research into other female conditions involving biofluid samples subject to cyclic reproductive influences. The consensus SOPs are based on the best available evidence; areas with limited evidence are identified as requiring further pilot studies. The SOPs will be reviewed based on investigator feedback, and through systematic tri-annual follow-up. Updated versions will be made available at: endometriosisfoundation.org/ephect.
authors.affiliation: Wellcome Trust Centre for Human Genetics, University of Oxford, Oxford, United Kingdom.
authors.forename: Nilufer
authors.initials: N
authors.lastname: Rahmioglu
authors.affiliation: Organ Systems, Department of Development and Regeneration, Katholieke Universiteit Leuven, Leuven, Belgium; Department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology, Leuven University Fertility Centre, University Hospital Leuven, Leuven, Belgium.
authors.forename: Amelie
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Fassbender
authors.affiliation: Department of Obstetrics, Gynecology, and Reproductive Biology, Brigham and Women's Hospital and Harvard Medical School, Boston, Massachusetts; Boston Center for Endometriosis, Boston Children's Hospital and Brigham & Women's Hospital, Boston, Massachusetts.
authors.forename: Allison F
authors.initials: AF
authors.lastname: Vitonis
authors.affiliation: Channing Division of Network Medicine, Department of Medicine, Brigham and Women's Hospital and Harvard Medical School, Boston, Massachusetts; Department of Epidemiology, Harvard School of Public Health, Boston, Massachusetts.
authors.forename: Shelley S
authors.initials: SS
authors.lastname: Tworoger
authors.affiliation: World Endometriosis Research Foundation (WERF), London, United Kingdom.
authors.forename: Lone
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Hummelshoj
authors.affiliation: Organ Systems, Department of Development and Regeneration, Katholieke Universiteit Leuven, Leuven, Belgium; Department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology, Leuven University Fertility Centre, University Hospital Leuven, Leuven, Belgium.
authors.forename: Thomas M
authors.initials: TM
authors.lastname: D'Hooghe
authors.affiliation: World Endometriosis Research Foundation (WERF), London, United Kingdom; Palo Alto Medical Foundation Fertility Physicians of Northern California, Palo Alto, California.
authors.forename: G David
authors.initials: GD
authors.lastname: Adamson
authors.affiliation: World Endometriosis Research Foundation (WERF), London, United Kingdom; University of California San Francisco, San Francisco, California.
authors.forename: Linda C
authors.initials: LC
authors.lastname: Giudice
authors.affiliation: Nuffield Department of Obstetrics & Gynaecology, University of Oxford, Oxford, United Kingdom; Endometriosis CaRe Centre Oxford, University of Oxford, Oxford, United Kingdom.
authors.forename: Christian M
authors.initials: CM
authors.lastname: Becker
authors.affiliation: Wellcome Trust Centre for Human Genetics, University of Oxford, Oxford, United Kingdom; Nuffield Department of Obstetrics & Gynaecology, University of Oxford, Oxford, United Kingdom; Endometriosis CaRe Centre Oxford, University of Oxford, Oxford, United Kingdom. Electronic address: krinaz@well.ox.ac.uk.
authors.forename: Krina T
authors.initials: KT
authors.lastname: Zondervan
authors.affiliation: Department of Obstetrics, Gynecology, and Reproductive Biology, Brigham and Women's Hospital and Harvard Medical School, Boston, Massachusetts; Boston Center for Endometriosis, Boston Children's Hospital and Brigham & Women's Hospital, Boston, Massachusetts; Channing Division of Network Medicine, Department of Medicine, Brigham and Women's Hospital and Harvard Medical School, Boston, Massachusetts; Department of Epidemiology, Harvard School of Public Health, Boston, Massachusetts.
authors.forename: Stacey A
authors.initials: SA
authors.lastname: Missmer
mesh_terms: D001800:Blood Specimen Collection / Q000592:standards*; D004715:Endometriosis / Q000097:blood* / Q000473:pathology*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D038622:Internationality; D017410:Practice Guidelines as Topic; D013048:Specimen Handling / Q000592:standards*; D014015:Tissue Banks / Q000592:standards*
keywords: EPHect; Endometriosis; biological fluid samples; standard operating procedures; standardization