Specimen Type

Specimen Age

Shipping Conditions

Recommended Volume²

Amniotic fluid
(collected at > 18 weeks gestation)

Up to one week when stored refrigerated;

indefinite when stored frozen

2 – 8° C

on ice or cold packs preferred;

frozen acceptable;

overnight delivery

10 ml

Other body fluids:

Ascitic

Peritoneal

Pleural

Bronchial lavage

Up to one week when stored refrigerated;

indefinite when stored frozen

2 – 8° C
on ice or cold packs;

frozen acceptable;

overnight delivery

10 ml

CSF

Up to one week when stored refrigerated;

indefinite when stored frozen

Frozen preferred;

2 – 8° C on ice or cold packs acceptable;

overnight delivery

1 ml

Ocular fluids (vitreous and aqueous)

Up to one week when stored refrigerated;

indefinite when stored frozen

Frozen preferred;

2 – 8° C on ice or cold packs acceptable;

overnight delivery

0.5 ml

Whole blood
Bone marrow

Up to 2 days

EDTA or citrate tube;

20 – 25° C;

overnight delivery

5 ml

Urine

Up to one week when stored refrigerated;

indefinite when stored frozen

2 – 8° C on ice or cold packs preferred;

frozen acceptable;

overnight delivery

10 ml

Solid tissues
(A referral to our consultants is recommended)

Up to 24 hours when stored refrigerated;

indefinite when stored frozen;

NO preservatives

Frozen preferred;

2 – 8° C on ice or cold packs acceptable;

overnight delivery

50 mg