Submission Forms
Resources for Researchers
Papers
- Best practices for veterinary toxicologic clinical pathology, with emphasis on the pharmaceutical and biotechnology industries
- Alterations due to dilution and anticoagulant effects in hematologic analysis of rodent blood samples on the Sysmex XT-2000iV
- Bias due to Preanalytical Dilution of Rodent Serum for Biochemical Analysis on the Siemens Dimension Xpand Plus
Frequently Asked Questions
Sample Collection
Because of the small volume obtainable from a survival mouse bleed, it is very difficult to collect enough blood to run both a complete chemistry panel and a CBC. A single lavender-top (EDTA) microtainer tube should be used to collect the sample for CBC. For the chemistry panel placing whole blood in a plain Eppendorf will suffice. We have these tubes available in the lab for your use. Please see the following guidelines for blood collection in rodents: APLAC Guidelines for Blood Collection. As above, please list test priorities on the submission form to help us prioritize if sample volume is not sufficient to run all tests.
Please contact Greg Nelson (Veterinary Tech Supervisor).
Samples for hematology alone should be submitted in a lavender-top tube (contains the anticoagulant EDTA).
Most chemistry tests can be run on either 1) serum obtained by collecting blood into a regular (empty) plastic tube – blood is centrifuged after clotting and serum is drawn off into new plastic tube; or 2) plasma obtained by collecting blood into a green-top tube (contains the anticoagulant heparin) – blood is centrifuged and plasma is drawn off into a new plastic tube. If both hematology and chemistry are run on a single sample, blood should be drawn into a green-top heparin tube and immediately submitted WITHOUT centrifugation.
Calculating the exact volume required for multiple tests can be complicated. We are able to maximize the usefulness of a small sample by diluting some tests without adverse effects, but this ability is entirely test-dependent. Please contact us for further help: Roberta Moorhead (lab manager); phone (650) 723-3878.
Some considerations for preanalytical dilutions in hematology and biochemistry analysis can be found in the following articles:
Alterations due to dilution and anticoagulant effects in hematologic analysis of rodent blood samples on the Sysmex XT-200iV[LINK HERE]
Bias due to Preanalytical Dilution of Rodent Serum for Biochemical Analysis on the Siemens Dimension Xpand Plus[LINK HERE]
Sample Storage
For hematology (whole blood), refrigerate samples at 4°C if they are not immediately brought to our lab. Please submit the samples as soon as possible and never put them on ice or in a freezer. For chemistry and serology samples, please bring to the lab ASAP because the centrifugation step should be performed immediately. If samples cannot be submitted the same day, you will need to centrifuge samples and remove the serum/ plasma. This can then be stored either overnight at 4°C or in a freezer for long-term storage. For microbiology and PCR samples, sample handling depends on the specific test requested. In general, microbiology culture samples should be refrigerated at 4°C if they are not immediately brought to our lab.
Some tests require same day processing and some tests can be stored overnight or longer under the proper conditions. Please contact the Diagnostic Lab for specific instructions.
Note: whole blood should never be stored overnight in most instances.
All chemistry testing requires a single “dead” volume in addition to the specific volumes required to perform each of the tests. The Diagnostic Lab has a volume chart available online on our website: Blood volume testing handout here. You may also pick up a copy from either of our submission labs. If you are submitting a mouse sample, we recommend that you list your test priorities on your request form to help us prioritize if sample volume is not sufficient to run all tests.
If you are submitting the samples to our lab for testing, we have all collection tube types available in our Edwards Building Room R320 receiving lab for you to use, free of charge.
Sample Submission
Samples can be submitted in room R320 in the Edwards Building, 3rd floor.
We strongly recommend turning in samples by 3 pm for same day processing. Hematology and some chemistry samples require same-day processing. If your sample is submitted after 3:30 p.m., the integrity of the test result may be compromised due to the inability to test immediately.
We send out cell line samples to a specific reference lab every Monday. If you submit your cell line by 3 pm on Monday, we can include your sample with our regular shipment, and you will not be billed for a shipping charge. You can also submit your sample prior to the day of shipping since we freeze these samples at -20 until shipping. You can view more information on submission and download the submission form on this page.
For full information about biological specimen testing, please see this document: Biological Materials Handout, Part A.
In short, cell lines should be submitted in a cryovial in the original culture media. Do not pellet the cells. Submit between 2 x 106 and 10 x 106 cells in < 1 mL of media. Do NOT submit greater than 10 x 106 cells. We encourage users to pool up to 5 separate cell lines in a single cryovial for submission. The guidelines for pooled samples are the same: submit between 2 x 106 and 10 x 106 total cells in < 1 mL of total media. If a pooled sample has a positive test result for an agent, each individual cell line will then be tested for that one agent – this is more efficient and cost-effective than testing each individual cell line for all agents.
For submission of non-cellular biological specimens (e.g. serum, ascites, virus, parasite stock, or other liquid), submit one cryovial containing 0.2 – 0.5 ml of undiluted fluid.
For advice about blood collection techniques, please contact Greg Nelson (Veterinary Tech Supervisor); phone (650) 498-6729.
Even if a test is not listed on our request form, we may be able to perform the test. The request form lists our most common tests. For more information, please contact Roberta Moorhead.
We request that you contact the Diagnostic Lab in advance if you are submitting a large quantity of samples. The advance notice helps to ensure the efficient processing of your samples. Also, it can sometimes be financially advantageous to submit samples in batches, so please contact us for more information about a potential cost break.
Refer to Diagnostic Lab Rates FY21 under “Downloadable Resources”.