title: Time course analysis of RNA quality in placenta preserved by RNAlater or flash freezing.
abstract: Preservation of biospecimen quality is critical to accurately and reliably assessing genes and proteins. We evaluated the effect of preparation method and storage duration on RNA quality in placenta and decidua.
  
  
  
  Aliquots of nine placentas and decidua were placed in RNAlater®(RL) or flash frozen (FF) within 30 minutes of delivery. RNA was extracted immediately (baseline) and from matched samples stored at -80°C for 1 and 8-10 months. RNA Integrity Number (RIN) and housekeeping gene expression were quantified.
  
  
  
  At both time points, RL placenta had RIN and housekeeping gene Ct values similar to baseline. However, FF placenta had significantly lower RIN and higher Ct values at 1 and 8-10 months. In RL and FF decidua, RIN was unchanged from baseline.
  
  
  
  We found RNAlater more effectively and consistently preserved placenta, compared to flash freezing. However, for decidua, which is less dense than placenta, both modes yielded comparable RNA integrity over time.
authors.affiliation: Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology and Reproductive Sciences, Yale School of Medicine, New Haven, CT, USA.
authors.forename: Nicole M
authors.identifier: 0000-0002-1955-7509
authors.initials: NM
authors.lastname: Martin
authors.affiliation: Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology and Reproductive Sciences, Yale School of Medicine, New Haven, CT, USA.
authors.forename: Katherine M
authors.initials: KM
authors.lastname: Cooke
authors.affiliation: Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology and Reproductive Sciences, Yale School of Medicine, New Haven, CT, USA.
authors.forename: Caitlin C
authors.initials: CC
authors.lastname: Radford
authors.affiliation: Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology and Reproductive Sciences, Yale School of Medicine, New Haven, CT, USA.
authors.forename: Lauren E
authors.initials: LE
authors.lastname: Perley
authors.affiliation: Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology and Reproductive Sciences, Yale School of Medicine, New Haven, CT, USA.
authors.forename: Michelle
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Silasi
authors.affiliation: Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology and Reproductive Sciences, Yale School of Medicine, New Haven, CT, USA.
authors.forename: Clare A
authors.initials: CA
authors.lastname: Flannery
mesh_terms: D015925:Cryopreservation / Q000379:methods*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D019188:Organ Preservation Solutions; D010920:Placenta; D011247:Pregnancy; D012313:RNA / Q000032:analysis*; D060888:Real-Time Polymerase Chain Reaction; D013997:Time Factors; D016707:Tissue Fixation / Q000379:methods*
chemical_list: D019188:Organ Preservation Solutions; D012313:RNA
keywords: RNA Integrity Number; decidua; housekeeping gene