Immunological tests for LH and FSH in urine

Area of Science:

• Clinical Chemistry
• Biochemistry
• Hormone Assays

Background:

• Accurate determination of luteinizing hormone (LH) and follicle-stimulating hormone (FSH) is crucial for diagnosing various endocrine disorders.
• Preservation of urine samples is essential to maintain analyte integrity before laboratory analysis.
• Traditional preservation methods like chilling may not always be optimal for long-term storage or specific assay types.

Purpose of the Study:

• To evaluate the efficacy of a novel preservative solution containing sodium chloride (NaCl) and nitrofurantoin for 24-hour urine samples.
• To compare the effectiveness of this preservative against standard refrigeration for maintaining LH and FSH levels.
• To determine the suitability of the preservative for haemagglutination-based hormone assays.

Main Methods:

• Urine samples were collected over 24 hours.
• Samples were divided into two groups: one preserved with 100 g/l NaCl and 200 mg/l nitrofurantoin, and the other group was chilled.
• Luteinizing hormone (LH) and follicle-stimulating hormone (FSH) levels were subsequently determined using haemagglutination tests in both groups.

Main Results:

• The preservative solution containing NaCl and nitrofurantoin demonstrated adequate preservation of LH and FSH levels in 24-hour urine samples.
• Preservation using NaCl and nitrofurantoin proved superior to chilling for maintaining hormone analyte stability for haemagglutination testing.

Conclusions:

• The combination of 100 g/l NaCl and 200 mg/l nitrofurantoin serves as an effective preservative for urine samples intended for LH and FSH analysis via haemagglutination.
• This method offers a viable alternative to refrigeration, potentially simplifying sample handling and transport in clinical settings.