Jelly Like Serum in your Dog Progesterone Testing! Fix it fast with Lithium Heparin Tubes From CanineP4.com

👉 Jelly-like Serum In Your Dog's Progesterone Testing? Too Thick To Use For Your Progesterone Testing? Caninep4.Com Has An Easy-to-use, Science-based Fix For Your Problem!

👉Why Green Cap Lithium Heparin Tubes Fix This Problem And Are Proven Safe For Progesterone Testing!

The short answer, backed by science, is yes. If your progesterone machine indicates it can be used accurately with plasma and serum, you can safely use lithium heparin green-capped tubes to avoid “jelly-like” serum. In this blog, we will discuss what serum and plasma are, why lithium heparin is safe for most progesterone machines, and how to be sure your machine can be used with lithium heparin.

👉What is the difference between plasma and serum?

Before we start, it’s important to understand the differences between a serum sample and a plasma sample. Serum and plasma are often used interchangeably; there are key differences (10) between the two.

👉What is Serum?

Serum is the liquid portion of clotted blood. The blood used to produce serum has been allowed to undergo natural coagulation through the clotting cascade, while plasma has not.

Serum is obtained by allowing the blood to clot naturally before centrifugation, without the use of chemical additives. Serum can also be processed with silica, a clot activator, or prepared in a plain, chemical-free tube.

👉Any sample that is allowed to clot before centrifugation and is not prepared with lithium heparin, EDTA, or another anticoagulant is considered a serum sample.

👉What is plasma and why does it matter?

On the other hand, Plasma is the liquid portion of unclotted blood, produced with the use of an “anticoagulant” chemical that stops the blood clotting process altogether. Lithium heparin (Green Cap Tube) is a commonly used anticoagulant, which prevents the natural clotting of the blood, therefore producing plasma.

👉Any sample that is prepared with an anticoagulant tube, such as lithium heparin or EDTA, is considered Plasma.

This allows you to skip the 10-minute clotting time that is normally required for serum samples (before centrifugation) since the clotting process has been halted. Lithium heparin is effective at treating “jelly-like” serum, also known as fibrin clots, as fibrin clots are a key part of the blood clotting process, and by stopping the blood from clotting using an anticoagulant such as lithium heparin, we stop fibrin clots or jelly-like serum from forming, provided the blood is introduced and mixed properly with the chemical quickly after the blood is drawn. Due to the nature of most progesterone machine methodologies, Jelly-Like serum can have a negative impact on your testing accuracy and should be avoided.

👉Are Green Cap Lithium Heparin tubes safe to use with my Canine progesterone machine?

👉YES! IF your machine is designed to work with serum or plasma.

If your machine is designed to work with serum or plasma, then yes! Studies (referenced below) have shown that lithium heparin does not affect the levels of progesterone in a sample.

You Can Find These Lithium Heparin Tubes Here With Easy Ordering And Same-day Shipping!

If you aren’t sure if your machine works with plasma, check the insert sheet present in your canine progesterone test kit. If you check the sections titled “Sample Collection and Preparation” or “Sample Material,” you'll notice that both serum and plasma are listed if they're safe to use. If only serum is listed, plasma is not safe to use.

Below are some examples from popular canine progesterone machines, the Wondfo Finecare and the Eurolyser CUBE-VET: If your machine can be used with plasma, then you can safely use lithium heparin to treat “jelly-like” serum.

Ultimately, serum in its natural form (no chemical additive, 10 or more-minute clotting time allowed after blood draw, followed by centrifugation) is the simplest and most effective approach to progesterone testing. However, if plasma is needed, research suggests it is safe to use for progesterone testing if your machine is rated for plasma.

👉Lithium Heparin Studies: Here is the science! Footnotes are numbered and listed below.

• “Catalyst Progesterone has been optimized for use with whole blood...and lithium heparin plasma samples” (4)*See footnote below

  
  

• “Lithium heparin tubes are generally accepted in hormone quantitative analysis...” (7)*See footnote below

  
  

• “For plasma tests, it is recommended to use a lithium heparin tube.” (3)*See footnote below

  
  

• “In our study, serum and heparinized plasma yielded similar results for most of the parameters tested” (8)*See footnote below

  
  

• “The choice of blood collection tube (silicone, lithium heparin, or EDTA) did not affect the P4 concentrations...” (9)*See footnote below

  
  

• “The results of the current study suggest that the tube type, sample handling, and sample storage have little to no effect on the outcome of progesterone testing. This by no means indicates that poor laboratory technique is acceptable. Consistency in sample handling and testing technique is important for accurate results” (11)*See footnote below

  
  

👉What types of chemicals should I avoid for canine progesterone testing?

👉Gel Serum Separator Tubes and EDTA Tubes should be avoided for progesterone testing.

👉When researching this very scientific topic, be sure to reference actual published studies, major manufacturers’ recommendations, and other sources of verifiable information. For purposes of this blog, we have identified many of the major study contributors for you and the defining sentences of the study below:

👉Gel serum separator tubes are not recommended by several studies, including officially from Idexx for the Catalyst. Gel serum separator tubes contain a gel that creates a barrier between the whole blood and the liquid portion of the blood after centrifuging.

👉EDTA has also been shown to affect canine progesterone levels in a blood sample and should be avoided.

👉Gel Serum Separator Tubes Studies:

• “Several reports of gels affecting analyte concentrations have been published...progesterone levels may also be significantly reduced” (1). *See footnote below

  
  

• “We conclude that Elecsys progesterone results are falsely increased when blood is collected in these SST containers and that a component of the inert gel is probably released into the serum to produce the false increase” (2)*See footnote below

  
  

• “It is reported in the literature that the concentration of progesterone in canine serum is reduced when using serum separator tubes. It is suspected that progesterone will be absorbed by the gel material. Avoid using serum separator tubes” (3)*See footnote below

  
  

• “If using serum, do not use a serum separator tube (SST) as gel interferes with progesterone testing” (4)*See footnote below

  
  

• “0.5mL serum in red tube top. Submission of serum separator tube is not recommended. Interferences: serum separator gel may interfere with the test” (5)*See footnote below

In summary, gel serum separators have been shown to exhibit significant interference and deviation in progesterone and other testing and are not recommended for use.

👉EDTA Studies:

“and progesterone was significantly different between serum and EDTA-treated sample groups. Differences were also identified between serum and sodium citrate-treated samples in the analysis for TSH, insulin, total T3, estradiol, testosterone, and progesterone.” (6)*See footnote below

Although there are some chemicals, such as EDTA and Gel Serum Separator Tubes, that should not be used when progesterone testing, Green Cap lithium heparin tubes have been shown to not only be safe to use (if your machine is rated for serum and plasma) but also a great way to deal with “jelly-like” serum.

At Canine P4, we value the science behind breeding and are dedicated to helping breeders achieve success in producing healthy and thriving litters.

We are here to support you every step of the way, whether it's troubleshooting, understanding testing methodologies, or selecting the right tools for your program. For more assistance, call us at 844-673-7378 or visit our website at caninep4.com. Together, we can help ensure the health and success of your litters.

Disclaimer:

We are not veterinarians, and the information provided in this video is for educational and informational purposes only. It is not intended to be a substitute for professional veterinary advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Always consult your veterinarian for any questions regarding your pet’s health, care, or medical needs. Use the information provided here at your own discretion and risk.

Scholarly Citations: Just the fact, not opinion!

1. Bowen, R. A. R., & Remaley, A. T. (2014, February 15). Interferences from blood collection tube components on clinical chemistry assays. Biochemia medica. https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC3936985/

2. Ferry, J. D., Collins, S., & Sykes, E. (1999b, September 1). Effect of serum volume and time of exposure to gel barrier tubes on results for progesterone by Roche Diagnostics Elecsys 2010. OUP Academic. https://academic.oup.com/clinchem/article/45/9/1574/5643449

3. Insight V-ia progesterone presentation. (n.d.). https://www.woodleyequipment.com/docs/insight_v_ia_progesterone_presentation.pdf

4. Laboratories, I. (n.d.). Catalyst* progesterone | quick reference guide. https://www.idexx.com/files/catalyst-progesterone-quick-reference-guide-en.pdf

5. Tests archive. Antech Diagnostics. (n.d.). https://www.antechdiagnostics.com/test-guide/?search=progesterone&dos-categories=

6. Kohek, M., Leme, C., Nakamura, I. T., De Oliveira, S. A., Lando, V., & Mendonca, B. B. (2002, May 23). Effects of EDTA and sodium citrate on hormone measurements by fluorometric (FIA) and immunofluorometric (IFMA) methods. BMC clinical pathology. https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC115861/

7. Wauthier, Loris, et al. “Interferences in Immunoassays: Review and Practical Algorithm.” De Gruyter, De Gruyter, 1 May 2022, www.degruyter.com/document/doi/10.1515/cclm-2021-1288/html.

8. Cerón, José J, et al. “The Effects of Different Anticoagulants on Routine Canine Plasma Biochemistry.” The Veterinary Journal, W.B. Saunders, 5 Dec. 2003, www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/abs/pii/S1090023303001734.

9. Tahir, M. Z., & Al, Et. (2013b, October). Effect of blood handling conditions on progesterone assay results obtained by chemiluminescence in the bitch. Science Direct. https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/abs/pii/S0739724013000908#:~:text=The%20use%20of%20anticoagulants%20%28lithium%20heparin%20or%20EDTA%29,that%20is%2C%205%20d%20and%2022%20h%2C%20respectively.

10. Aryal, S., Rashid, Lakshmi, K. S., & Joshua, A. O. (2023, June 4). Serum vs. plasma (17 major differences). Microbe Notes. https://microbenotes.com/differences-between-serum-and-plasma/

11. Schultz, W., & Schultz, J. (2016). Progesterone assay using variable collection tubes and variable storage techniques . Clinical Theriogenology, 8(3). https://cdn.ymaws.com/www.therio.org/resource/collection/15B4140C-971B-43C7-8A6A-3F58C08B71BE/2016_v3_006.pdf

12. Tarantino, C. (2021, November 8). Osmosis - coagulation cascade: What is it, steps, and more. osmosis.org. https://www.osmosis.org/answers/coagulation-cascade

Why Don't My Progesterone Testing Numbers Match My Vet's? Watch The Full Video And Find Out!

BONUS CONTENT TO MAXIMISE YOUR TESTING!

Practical Real-World Tips That Will Help You Get Professional-level Progesterone Testing Results At Home!

👉These 5 Expert Tips From Canine P4 Ensure Accurate Canine Progesterone Results And Perfect Breeding Timing.

Progesterone testing for dogs just got easier with the help of CanineP4 and the top 6 Canine progesterone machines we offer. Save thousands and skip vet visits by testing at home. These 5 expert tips from Canine P4 ensure accurate canine progesterone results and perfect breeding timing. Even if you're a new breeder, you will be testing with confidence in no time with the training resources and ongoing professional help we offer everyone! Thousands of happy customers, Vets, and Breeders! We are here to serve you.

👉1. Start Early with Your Chosen Progesterone Machine

Preparation prevents mistakes in progesterone testing for dogs. Order your CanineP4 Canine progesterone machine and test kits 2-3 weeks before breeding season. Practice with dry runs. Not sure which of the 6 top units are the best fit for you? Simple, give us a call at 844-673-7378, let us know what kind of volume and breeding you do, and we will help you find the best fit for your needs!

Key Points:

• Get professional help to find the best in-home progesterone testing machine for you.

• Buy equipment with plenty of time for you to get acclimated to the system and the timing charts.

• Complete at least one practice run with the help of the training videos or by talking to one of our experts.

• Feeling comfortable running your canine progesterone machine is very important to getting proper results. We are always here to help!

  
  

👉2. Master the Details for Accurate Results

All Canine progesterone machines require precision. Follow every step exactly for reliable canine progesterone levels.

Key Points:

• Review procedures thoroughly by watching all the video training available for your system.

• Use consistent pipetting and blood draws. Video training is also available for learning how to pipette your samples correctly. Pipetting is one of the main causes of inaccurate results. It's easy, you just need to know a few simple facts. CanineP4.com offers a video training portal and professional help available when you need it. You will be in business in no time!

• Call CanineP4.com at 844-673-7378 for help

  
  

👉3. Understand What Your Numbers Mean

Different dog progesterone machines give different readings. Download the progesterone machine timing chart for the canine progesterone machine you purchased—focus on ovulation or fertile range, not raw numbers.

Key Points:

• Use the dog progesterone machine-specific test timing chart. Each of the dog progesterone machines we offer comes with a timing chart to help you understand the testing results you are getting on each of your tests.

• The timing charts have been developed from clinical level correlation testing (using 60-80 dog serums) with the Vet Standard Immulite systems! This means your progestone testing machine has already been aligned with the vet standard, so you have no need to compare your results to others. The chart will tell you where you are in the process. Always with professional help.

• Match interpretations across devices. No two brands or models of dog progesterone machines will read the same testing values when you run the same sample on each. Each type, brand, and model will have a bias, either lower or higher than the unit you are comparing your testing to. The timing charts that come with all of the CanineP4.com progesterone testing machines will already have calculated that bias and make it possible for you to use the ranges on the chart with full confidence, since the timing chart is calculated from the vet reference method, the immulite. It's simple and easy!

  
  

👉4. Track the Ovulation Date

CanineP4.com offers 6 of the best canine progesterone machines available. Each of these professional machines is engineered to meet the level of accuracy and investment that best fits your needs! CanineP4 also has professionals available by email, phone, or chat to help you find the very best fit for you to pinpoint ovulation day using your CanineP4 progesterone machine. Use your new Canine Progesterone Machine to watch for the sharp rise in progesterone, then breed within 4 days. We make it simple with ongoing support and easy to order test kits and supplies, most all shipping the same day when your order is placed by 1:30 PM CST.

Key Points:

• Identify the progesterone surge with your new canine progesterone machine!

• Your system will have a professionally developed timing chart to ensure your timing!

• Breed no later than day 4 post-ovulation

• Keep good records on all your females for future use.

  
  

👉5. Use Verified Test Kits Only!

Cheap kits ruin results. Buy only authorized  test kits from canineP4 since all of our test kits are tested and backed up with our ongoing support! Unverified test kits will not have a known range and will not have a timing chart assigned to them, so at best, you will be guessing on what your result even means when you get one!

Key Points:

• Stick to canine-specific kits for the system you have purchased from CanineP4.com

• Verify lots before use! All CanineP4 test kits are already tested and verified for the system you are using. No Guessing!

Follow these progesterone testing for dogs tips with your CanineP4 progesterone machine for higher litter success. Need help? Call 844-673-7378 or visit CanineP4.com.

👉 The CanineP4 Difference

• Fast Same-Day Shipping: Orders by 1:30 PM CST (Mon-Fri, no holidays) ship same day, tracked/insured.

• Dedicated Support: Chat/email/phone; 70+ years of experience; setup/troubleshooting help.

• Best Price Guarantee: Match lower prices + top support; contact 844-673-7378 or support@k9p4go.com.

• Trade-In Program: Trade in your old progesterone units for a new state-of-the-art Anbio 100C with warranties/shipping; check out our Generous Trade-up Program Here!

• Largest Selection: 98% in stock, ready to ship.

• Financing: 0% via Care Credit (6/12 months on $200/$2,500+); Affirm/Shop Pay/Sezzle/Afterpay; loans up to 60 months on $5,000+ via Terrace Finance.

👉Conclusion: 

• Getting an accurate testing result on any canine progesterone machine comes from paying attention to the details.

• Use a pipettor correctly; precision is required.

• Test kit accuracy and quality are key to getting great results. Do not buy an unverified test kit (kits that don't include a timing chart or any accuracy data)! The best machine can not give you good results if the test kits are bad!

• Everyone needs help sometimes. Make sure you purchase your canine progestone machine from a company that has a full-time professional support department to guide you when you need it. Feel confident with a little help from your friends at CanineP4.com !

👉Check out all the Canine Progesterone Machines we offer here! Questions? call 844-673-7378 or email us at support@K9P4Go.com. We are Always Ready To Serve You!