Phenotyping of hyperlipoproteinemias. Effect on electrophoretic pattern of serum storage at ambient, refrigerator, or freezing temperatures.

The stability of serum specimens collected for cellulose acetate electrophoresis of lipoproteins has been studied for each of the hyperlipoproteinemia phenotypes. In general, samples kept at room temperature for three days are still suitable for analysis. On longer standing, artifacts can cause misinterpretation of strips, or render them completely unreadable. If specimens are stored at refrigerator or freezer temperatures, deterioration is retarded but the period of stability after they are returned to room tempera. ture is unaltered. A second freeze-thaw cycle makes specimens unsuitable for analysis. Samples can be stored at refrigerator temperatures for at least 28 days and at freezer temperatures for at least 14 days if one freeze-thaw cycle is used.