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ADAM-12 stability in first trimester maternal serum
N J Cowans1, A Stamatopoulou, S Jaakohuhta
1Clinical Biochemistry Department, Prenatal Research Unit, King George Hospital, Goodmayes IG3 8YB, UK.
Insights
A Disintegrin And Metalloproteinase-12 (ADAM-12) shows limited stability in maternal serum, degrading within 15-20 hours at room temperature. This instability may explain inconsistencies in its use as a prenatal screening marker.
Area of Science:
- Biochemistry
- Reproductive Biology
- Clinical Chemistry
Background:
- Maternal serum ADAM-12 (A Disintegrin And Metalloproteinase-12) is a proposed marker for prenatal screening.
- It is investigated for predicting chromosomal abnormalities, pre-eclampsia, and adverse pregnancy outcomes.
Purpose of the Study:
- To evaluate the stability of ADAM-12 in maternal serum and whole blood.
- To determine the influence of time and temperature on ADAM-12 analyte stability.
Main Methods:
- Maternal serum and whole blood samples were stored at various temperatures (30°C, room temperature, refrigerator).
- Samples underwent repeated freeze-thaw cycles (-20°C to room temperature).
- ADAM-12 concentrations were measured using an automated DELFIA research assay at defined time points.
Main Results:
- ADAM-12 in serum remained stable for <15h at 30°C, <20h at room temperature, and 51h under refrigeration.
- Three freeze-thaw cycles did not alter ADAM-12 levels.
- ADAM-12 stability in whole blood mirrored that observed in serum.
Conclusions:
- ADAM-12 demonstrates instability under common laboratory storage conditions.
- The observed instability of ADAM-12 may contribute to conflicting results reported in scientific literature.
- Careful consideration of sample handling and storage is crucial for reliable ADAM-12 measurements in prenatal diagnostics.
Background:
Maternal serum A Disintergrin And Metaloprotease-12 (ADAM-12) has been proposed as a marker for prenatal screening of chromosomal abnormalities, pre-eclampsia and other adverse pregnancy outcomes. In this study, we examine the stability of ADAM-12 with time and at different temperatures.
Methods:
Maternal serum and whole blood pools were stored at 30 degrees C, room temperature and refrigerator temperature or subjected to repeated freeze-thaw cycles. ADAM-12 was measured at set time points using an automated DELFIA research assay.
Results:
Using a 10% change in concentration as a limit of stability, ADAM-12 is stable in serum for less than 15 h at 30 degrees C, less than 20 h at room temperature and for 51 h at refrigerator temperature. ADAM-12 levels are not altered following three - 20 degrees C to room temperature freeze-thaw cycles. The stability of ADAM-12 in whole blood appears similar to that in serum.
Conclusions:
The findings of this study suggest that ADAM-12 may be unstable under many routine laboratory conditions, and the marker's instability may also be partly responsible for the discrepancies in the literature.
