Veterinary Biobank for preclinical R&D

Biofluids & Biospecimens Summary

BLOOD

1. Serum
• The clear, pale-yellow liquid component of blood that remains after clotting
• Obtained by allowing a blood sample to clot and then centrifuging it to separate the liquid from the solid components, such as blood cells and clotting factors
• Contains proteins, electrolytes, antibodies, hormones, and metabolic waste products
• Valuable for diagnostic tests and biochemical analyses including immunology and disease monitoring.
2. Plasma
• The liquid component of blood that remains after the removal of blood cells
• constitutes about 55% of total blood volume
• primarily composed of water (up to 95%)
• contains proteins, electrolytes, hormones, and waste products
• functions include transporting nutrients and waste, maintaining blood pressure, and regulating body temperature and pH levels
• Double-spun plasma
• Double-spun plasma is often preferred in research due to its higher purity compared to single-spun plasma
• It is achieved through an additional centrifugation step that effectively separates remaining platelets and white blood cells, resulting in a cleaner sample for assays and diagnostic tests.
• This enhanced quality minimizes potential interferences from cellular components which is crucial in biomarker analysis and therapeutic studies.
3. RBC's
• Red blood cells (RBCs), or erythrocytes, are the most abundant cells in the blood, primarily responsible for transporting oxygen from the lungs to body tissues anreturning carbon dioxide to the lungs for exhalation.
• Separation of the RBCs from plasma and other components is typically done using centrifugation or automated apheresis methods.
4. Buffy Coat
• The buffy coat is the thin layer of white blood cells and platelets that forms between the plasma and red blood cells after centrifugation of anticoagulated blood.
• It typically contains lymphocytes, neutrophils, monocytes, eosinophils, basophils, and platelets.
• Uses of buffy coat include DNA extraction for genetic studies, analysis of immune responses, and diagnostic tests for infections.

CSF

• Cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) is a clear, colorless fluid that surrounds the brain and spinal cord, providing mechanical protection, nutrient transport, and waste removal.
• CSF can be collected in two ways: (1) Cisterna magna or atlanto-occipital puncture such as in horse, cat and dog or (2) sub lumbar or lumbosacral puncture as in cow, sheep and goat.

SALIVA

• Saliva is primarily composed of approximately 99% water, along with electrolytes, enzymes, proteins, and antimicrobial agents, which play critical roles in digestion and oral health.
• It serves as a valuable non-invasive diagnostic tool for understanding various diseases.
• Saliva collection methods typically involve stimulating saliva production through chewing or using specialized devices to capture saliva from the mouth.

SPUTUM

• Sputum is mucus coughed up from the lower airways, consisting of mucus, cells, and potentially pus, blood, or microorganisms in diseased states.
• In animals, sputum can be collected through methods like spontaneous expectoration, induced production via nebulized agents, or direct collection from the lower respiratory tract using a catheter or during bronchoscopy.
• Sputum analysis in animals can be valuable for diagnosing respiratory infections, monitoring chronic lung conditions, and identifying causative pathogens.

ASPIRATE

• An aspirate refers to the sample of fluid or tissue obtained through the process of aspiration.
• A needle or suction device is used to remove material from a specific area of the body for diagnostic or therapeutic purposes.
• Applications include analyzing cells for cancer or obtaining synovial fluid from joints.

SYNOVIAL FLUID

• Synovial fluid is the thick liquid located between joints. Its contents primarily include hyaluronic acid, lubricin, proteins, and various cells that contribute to joint lubrication, nutrient transport, and waste removal in synovial joints.
• Synovial fluid is collected through a procedure called arthrocentesis, wherein a needle is inserted into the joint space to aspirate the fluid.

URINE

• Analysis of urine can reveal information about metabolic diseases, liver function, and hydration status
• Urinalysis includes physical examination (color, clarity), chemical analysis (pH, specific gravity), and microscopic examination (cells, crystals).
• Collection methods
1. Spontaneous micturition : animal to urinate naturally
2. Manual compression : applying pressure to the bladder to induce urination
3. Catheterization : inserting a catheter into the bladder provides a sterile sample
4. Cystocentesis : using a needle to extract urine directly from the bladder

FECES

• Provides valuable insights into an animal’s health, particularly regarding gastrointestinal health and the presence of parasites
• Fresh samples are preferred for testing, ideally collected within 24 hours
• samples can be obtained directly from the animal or collected by the veterinarian using specialized tools like fecal loops or gloves

Source: Gunn-Christie (2023)

SWABS

• Biofluid samples collected from various anatomical sites using swabs
• TYPES :
1. NASAL SWABS– collected from the nasal passages; used to sample respiratory secretions
2. ORAL SWABS– taken from the oral cavity; these swabs collect saliva and mucosal secretions
3. SKIN SWABS– taken from skin lesions or areas of infection; to identify bacterial or fungal infections and assess skin conditions
4. RECTAL SWABS– collected from the rectal area; gather fecal material and mucosal secretions for detecting gastrointestinal pathogens and monitoring gut health
5. VAGINAL SWABS– taken from the vaginal canal in female animals; used for reproductive health assessments, detecting infections, and monitoring estrous cycles
6. PROCTOLOGY SWABS– long swabs designed for deeper sampling in the rectal area. Effective for collecting samples from the lower gastrointestinal tract