The effect of storage on whole blood chemiluminescence measurement of equine neutrophils.

The research investigates how the temperature and duration of storage affect chemiluminescence measurements in horses’ blood. It provides a practical guideline suggesting that samples should be stored at 4 degrees Celsius and examined as promptly as possible to maintain accuracy.

Research Overview

• The objective of this study was to identify how the length of time and temperature at which horse blood samples are stored affect the accuracy of chemiluminescence (CL) measurements. CL is a method to measure neutrophils’ oxygen metabolism in the blood. Neutrophils are essential part of the immune response, hence studying them can reveal vital information about the horse’s immune status.
• The study was conducted on venous blood samples collected from 18 clinically healthy Polish half-bred horses, aged between 4 and 11 years old.
• The researchers studied both spontaneous CL and CL that was stimulated either by a surface receptor stimulus or an extra-receptor stimulus.

Research Methodology

• The study design involved two parallel tests. The collected blood samples were split into two sets that were stored at different temperatures: one at 4 degrees Celsius and the other at 22 degrees Celsius.
• The researchers sought to gauge the effect of duration of storage on the CL readings by testing the samples at definite intervals: 2, 6, 24, 48, 72, 96, and 120 hours after the time of collection.

Findings and Interpretations

• The findings indicate that both the temperature and duration of storage significantly influence the quality of CL measurements in horse blood.
• The researchers recommend that for optimal results, samples should be stored at 4 degrees Celsius and the test should be done as early as possible after collection.
• The study also discovered that horse blood is viable for CL tests for an extended period if stored under the right conditions. Even samples kept at room temperature for 24 hours, and those stored at 4 degrees Celsius for up to 48 hours, did not show a significant decrease in either spontaneous or stimulated chemiluminescence.