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INTENDED LEARNING OUTCOMES

SERUM AND PLASMA • Apply the proper method on serum and plasma preparation.
PREPARATION • Compare and contrast the difference between serum and
DEPARTMENT OF MEDICAL TECHNOLOGY plasma.
FACULTY OF PHARMACY
• Discuss the common causes of unacceptable serum or plasma
specimens and inaccurate results.

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BLOOD FUNCTION
> red fluid that circulates inside blood vessels
> Transports nutrients, waste products, hormones, protein, ions ,
> Consists of formed elements (erythrocytes, leukocytes, and
Oxygen, CO2 and formed elements
platelets) and a fluid component called plasma
> Regulates body temperature
> Volume of blood in an average human adult is 5 L.
> Assists in the regulation of osmotic and acid-base balance
> Circulates in a closed system of vessels
> Protection (Immune Defense)
> Have short life spans and are continuously replaced by
> Prevents excessive blood loss (Clot Formation)
hemopoiesis
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SERUM PLASMA

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PLASMA PREPARATION / SEPARATION OF PLASMA

• is a clear, straw-colored liquid portion of the blood in • The blood is mixed with an appropriate amount of
which the other cells are suspended. anticoagulant

• transporting medium for cells and a variety of substances
vital to the human body.
Plasma = water + proteins + dissolved substances
• This preparation should be mixed immediately and thoroughly
to avoid clotting.
• It is then centrifuged for 15 minutes at 2000 -2500 rpm.
• The supernatant fluid is then separated and then labeled
properly

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PLASMA PROTEINS
SERUM
• The clear liquid that can be separated from clotted blood
Albumin Fibrinogen • is about 90% water with dissolved proteins, minerals, hormones and
60% 4% carbon dioxide and is an important source of electrolytes
• In blood, the serum is the component that is neither a blood cell nor a
Other 1% clotting factor; it is the blood plasma with the fibrinogens removed i.e.
Globulin of blood
35% protein
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content Serum = Plasma - Clotting factors

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PREPARATION / SEPARATION OF SERUM

• The blood is collected using a plain tube without anticoagulant

• Allow the blood to clot by leaving it undisturbed at room
temperature which usually takes 15–30 minutes but not longer than
1 hour before centrifugation.
• It is then centrifuged for 15 minutes at 2000 -2500 rpm.
• The supernatant fluid is then separated and then labeled properly
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Icteresia (Icteric serum)

• Intensely yellow serum sample due to elevated
bilirubin value

• Jaundice in a patient is caused by a bilirubin

level of greater than 430 µM (25 mg/L)
SPECIMEN INTERFERENCE
• Bilirubin interferes with tests using dyes and
turbidity tests

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Lysis of cells or Laking Lactescence (Lipemic serum)

(Hemolyzed serum)
• Results in leakage of intracellular substances • Obtained normally after a meal due to elevated
• In vitro hemolysis is more common which may chylomicrons
be due to:
1. Use of vacuum tubes
2. Vigorous mixing • Characterized by milky or highly turbid serum
3. Effect of alcohol
4. Centrifugation and separation steps
• Lactescence appears when the TAG level reaches
• Hemolysis is visible only not until a 200 mg/L of 4.6 mM (4g/L)
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