DCM Research Animal Diagnostic Laboratory

SUBMISSION INFORMATION:

To submit animal samples to the Diagnostic Lab, please:

· Submit samples between 7:00am and 3:30pm unless prior arrangements have been made

· email dcmdiagnosticlab@wustl.edu prior to dropping off your samples to ensure sample requirements and arrange sample submission

· Fill out a submission form with as much detail as possible

SAMPLE REQUIREMENTS:

*CBC + WBC differential:

1. Minimum requirement is based off of EDTA tube collection fill volume.  Blood should be collected or transferred into an EDTA tube (usually have purple tops) and gently mixed/inverted by hand 10-15 times. If possible, place tubes onto a rocker for a few minutes to continue mixing the samples.

• The volume collected should be appropriate for the size or fill volume of the tube used
• Over- or under-filling tubes can cause clotting and/or red cell lysis, which will affect results.
• Inadequate mixing can also result in clotting, which will affect results.

2. Blood samples should be brought to the lab on wet ice to keep them cool and help prevent clotting.
3. Samples should be brought to the lab within 4 hours of collection.

*Serum Chemistry:

1. We can use serum or plasma to run tests; serum is preferred.
   • When plasma is used, normal levels of most analytes will fall outside serum reference intervals
2. Volume requirement is dependent on the number/types of tests that are run.
   • If you cannot collect the required serum volume, our lab may be able to dilute the serum samples, however this could potentially affect accuracy of the results.  Please email the lab with questions about serum volumes or dilutions.
3. Blood should be collected or transferred into a serum separator tube (usually have red or orange tops) or lithium heparin tube (green top).
4. Most research personnel spin samples down and pipette the serum into separate micro tubes before bringing them to the lab on wet ice.

NOTE: Improper sample submission may result in additional technician time charges.

**Please contact Dr. Leslie Wilson (wleslie@wustl.edu or 314-362-3125) for more information on diagnostic and/or investigative histopathology offerings.

Service available to Washington University only.

Priority service for Washington University only.

• Hematology
• Clinical Chemistry
• Microbiology
• Rodent Viral Serology
• Parasitology
• Gross/histopathology
• Rodent pathogen testing of cell lines and biologics

• Hemavet HV 950
• Alfa Wassermann Vet Axcel Chemistry Analyzer
• Thermo Scientific Sensitire ARIS HiQ
• Lipshaw Downdraft Necropsy Tables
• Lipshaw Grosslab Histopathology Cutting Station
• Epredia Excelsior AS Tissue Processor
• Leica HistoCore Arcadia C and Arcadia H Embedding Station
• Leica Autostainer XL
• Leica HistoCore Multicut R Microtome

Pricing is subject to core verification

FY2025 fees:

Note: These are base prices.  Please contact the Diagnostic Lab for any pricing questions or to inquire about pricing for additional services.