ABSTRACT
To determine the effects of storage time and temperature on the laboratory results of 10 analytes in sera from apparently healthy adult males. Prospective Analytical Cross Sectional Study. Department of research laboratory, College of higher studies, Open University of Sudan, clinical chemistry, College of medical laboratory sciences Omdurman, Islamic university, Division of chemical pathology, department of medical laboratory sciences, College of health sciences, Omdurman Ahlia University. Khrdufan states, Sudan, from March 2008 to December 2009. We determined the concentration of Glucose, Urea, Uric Acid, Creatinine, Albumin, Total protein, Total cholesterol, Calcium, Phosphorus and Triglyceride in serum [using laboratory kits and spectrometric technique] collected from 100 apparently healthy adult males. 10ml of venous blood was collected, and the serum was separated after 20 minutes stored for 0,1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 24, 48 and 72 hours at each of the following temperatures: In fridge with 4 +/- 1°C and in laboratory bath with 23 +/- 1°C. Glucose, phosphorus and uric acid were the least stable and the serum should be determined within 48 hrs at 4 +/- 1°C and at 23 +/- 1°C for these analytes. The other analytes were stable for 72 hrs. Proper storage temperatures and times must be considered for the glucose, phosphorus and uric acid if delaying can not be avoided after sample collection