Clinical Chemistry and Other Laboratory Tests on Mouse Plasma or Serum

Abstract

Besides hematological analyses, many other parameters, including clinical chemistry and endocrinological values, can be determined from mouse blood samples. For most of these tests, plasma or serum samples are used. Data obtained by these investigations provide indications of genotype effects on metabolism and organ functions. Here we describe in detail the considerations that have to be taken into account to get adequate samples for plasma or serum analyses and the recommended sample processing for different investigations. Furthermore, we describe established methods used in the German Mouse Clinic (GMC) to determine clinical chemical parameters; for more in-depth analysis of specific classes of biomarkers, we provide instructions for ELISAs (sandwich and competitive) as well as LC-MS/MS, focusing on markers associated with bone or steroid metabolism in the mouse as working examples. Curr. Protoc. Mouse Biol. 3:69-100 © 2013 by John Wiley & Sons, Inc.

Pleiotropic Functions for Transcription Factor Zscan10

“…Determination of clinical-chemical parameters in heparinized plasma samples was done using an AU480 (Beckman-Coulter, Krefeld, Germany) and reagents kits provided by Beckman-Coulter, as described previously [25]. Hematological analyses were performed with an ABC-animal blood counter (Scil animal care company, Viernheim, Germany) on whole blood samples collected in EDTA-coated tubes.…”

“…The steroid hormones testosterone, corticosterone and androstendione were analyzed out of 50 ul plasma by liquid chromatography tandem mass spectrometry (LC-MS/MS) according to Rathkolb et al [25].…”

No Amelioration of Uromodulin Maturation and Trafficking Defect by Sodium 4-Phenylbutyrate in Vivo

“…Clinical Chemical Analyses-Analyses of blood and urine parameters were carried out as described previously (17,22). Plasma creatinine values were determined enzymatically (Biomed), whereas urine creatinine concentration was determined by the Jaffé method.…”

Evaluation of Rett Syndrome Symptom Improvement by Metabolic Modulators in Mecp2‐Mutant Mice

“…Send separated serum for clinical blood chemistries, including lipid panels, immediately after collection (Rathkolb et al, 2011a). Repeat this step biweekly (for mutants with rapid symptom progression) or monthly.…”