Biomedical Sample Collection

The following contains basic / minimal information on proper storage of biomaterial samples collected from wild animals for diagnostic purposes. Handling and storage of biomaterials is key for successful diagnostic test capabilities.

Samples

1. Ectoparasites should be stored in 70 to 80 percent ethyl (grain) alcohol. If ethyl alcohol is not available a fairly good substitute is a 35 percent solution of rubbing alcohol (isopropyl). Since rubbing alcohol is usually sold as a 70 percent solution, it should be diluted by mixing it with equal proportions of water. Store at room temperature.

2. Feces and endoparasites should be stored in 3.5 percent solution of formalized saline or 5 percent solution of formalin. Other fixative solutions may provide better diagnostic capabilities for some types of parasites.

3. Blood - Supplies needed in the field - collection tubes (anticoagulant and clot tubes), syringes, needles, microcapillary tubes, PCV chart, clay for microcapillary tubes, centrifuge, refractometer, microscope, hemacytometer, cryotubes, method to keep things frozen (liquid nitrogen, dry ice, freezer) pipettes, slide fixative and stain.

• A. Heparin or EDTA for
• PCV (spin at 3,500 rpm for 5 minutes)
• TS
• WBC count
• Slides for differentials and hemoparasite identification

Once above tests are completed, spin blood tubes at 3,500 rpm for 10 minutes and pipette off the plasma.
Store in cryotubes at - 70C. If you do not have - 70C, be sure to at least keep frozen.

Pipette off RBCS into cryotubes to store at - 70 C can be used in for genetics and possibly molecular tests.

B. Non-anticoagulant for serum. Spin at 3,500 rpm for 10 minutes. Pipette off the serum and store in cryotubes at - 70 C. If you do not have - 70 C, be sure to at least keep frozen.

4. Dead animal samples - Necropsy Techniques

Points To Consider

• When planning special studies, consult appropriate laboratories prior to collecting samples to ensure proper collection and storage of biomaterials. Examples include:
• zinc levels should be measured on blood stored in blue top tubes since the tops of these tubes do not leach zinc; and
• flagellates in feces require PVA solution for storage.

Other samples may be collected and will depend on what question the researcher wants to answer in regard to the health of the population. Examples include:

1. culture samples for bacteria; and
2. hair and feces for DNA studies.

Biomedical samples may contain infectious agents transmissible to humans and other animals. Appropriate safety measures (gloves, masks, hand washing etc.) should always be practiced when collecting or handling samples.