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PP13 stability in first trimester maternal serum and whole blood
N J Cowans1, A Stamatopoulou, S Jaakohuhta
1Prenatal Research Unit, Clinical Biochemistry Department, King George Hospital, Goodmayes IG3 8YB, UK.
Background:
Maternal serum placental protein 13 (PP13) has been proposed as a marker for prenatal screening of pre-eclampsia (PE) and other adverse pregnancy outcomes. This study aims to examine the stability of PP13 at different routine temperatures.
Methods:
Maternal serum pools and whole blood samples were stored at '30 degrees C', room temperature or refrigerator temperature. Further, serum pools were also subjected to repeated freeze-thaw cycles. PP13 was measured at set time points using an AutoDELFIA research assay.
Results:
Levels of PP13 are stable, defined as less than 10% change in concentration, in serum for 17.4 h at '30 degrees C', 3.4 days at room temperature and for at least 34 days at refrigerator temperature. PP13 concentration is not altered following three -20 degrees C to room temperature freeze-thaw cycles. PP13 is stable in whole blood for at least 3 days at all three temperatures studied.
Conclusions:
PP13 is a suitably stable molecule and can be treated under routine laboratory and normal transport temperatures.
