Concentrations and activities of bovine serum biochemic constituents as a function of storage time and temperature

1. A study was conducted to determine the stability of 14 bovine serum constituents during storage for 28 days at 2 or −10 °. The constituents assayed in fresh serum and at 1, 3, 5, 7, 10, 14, 17, 21 and 28 d of storage included: glucose, cholesterol, total bilirubin, glutamic-oxaloacetic transaminase, alkaline phosphatase, lactic dehydrogenase, total protein, creatinine, blood urea nitrogen, calcium, inorganic phosphorus, sodium, potassium and chloride. 2. There was an unexpected rise in serum lactic dehydrogenase activity after 24 h of storage. The results of this study indicate that storing bovine serum at −10° for 14 to 28 d prior to analysis would be satisfactory for conducting routine analyses of the constituents studied.