Blood Collection Tubes

Blood Collection Tubes with Separation Gel

Separation gel is commonly used in some blood collection tubes where it forms a semi-permanent barrier between blood cells and the serum/plasma layer after centrifugation. This helps prevent re-mixing of the layers if the transfer of the serum/plasma is delayed or the tube is accidentally knocked over after centrifuging. The gel barrier also allows the serum/ plasma layer to be simply poured off rather than pipetted.

Tests can also be performed directly from the primary tube, without the need for transfer, in some cases. Another benefit is that the gel helps to prevent, or slow down, glycolysis and other unwanted effects that might occur if the serum/plasma is left in contact with the red cells for any length of time.

However, it is important to understand that the separation gel does not offer permanent separation benefits and, whenever possible, the serum/plasma layer should be transferred within a few hours of centrifugation. The separation gel does not interfere with most routine clinical chemistry tests, although it may adversely affect certain drug/hormone assays.

We can supply most types of blood collection tubes and if you can’t find what you are looking for then please contact us and we will be delighted to help. Telephone: 01798 874567

Blood Collection Tubes for Serum Samples

For the preparation of Serum for biochemical and serological testing. The is an INERT AGENT and must be mixed well and left for at least 45 minutes before centrifuging. This maximises the efficiency of the clotting agent.

From our Vet-Tube® Range (2ml Screw Top Tube)

• Vet-Tube® S Plain for Serum 1.3ml Fill – Clear Top
• Vet-Tube® SG Plain + Gel for Serum 1.1ml Fill – Brown Top

From our Vetlab Range (2ml Screw Top Tube)

• Vetlab ZT Plain for Serum 1.3ml Fill – White Top
• Vetlab ZT Plain + Gel for Serum 1.1ml Fill – Brown Top

These tubes have their internal surface treated with a coating of an inert clotting agent which encourages clot formation and retraction from the sides of the tube. After filling with blood these tubes should be kept in a warm, dark place (not a refrigerator) to encourage clot formation and maximum expression of serum, for at least 45 minutes -1 hour. After this period, all tubes should be centrifuged, ideally at 10,000 r.p.m for at least 2 minutes in order to separate the serum from the cellular fraction/clot.

If a tube without separation gel is used, the serum should be immediately transferred by using a transfer pipette to another plain tube in order to avoid undesirable in vitro effects such as haemolysis and glycolysis, and also possible re-mixing. Tubes with separation gel allow some delay before the transfer of the serum/plasma layer.

We can supply most types of blood collection tubes and if you can’t find what you are looking for then please contact us and we will be delighted to help. Telephone: 01798 874567

Blood Collection Tubes for Plasma Samples

For the preparation of Plasma for biochemical testing.

From the Vet-Tube® Range (2ml Screw Top Tube)

• Vet-Tube® P Lithium Heparin for Plasma 1.3ml Fill – Orange Top
• Vet-Tube® PG Lithium Heparin + Gel for Plasma 1.1ml Fill – Green Top

From our Vetlab Range (2ml Screw Top Tube)

• Vetlab LH Lithium Heparin for Plasma 1.3ml Fill – Orange Top
• Vetlab LH Lithium Heparin + Gel for Plasma 1.1ml Fill – Orange Top

Other Sample Tubes

• Lithium Heparin Plug Top 2ml Tube, 1.3ml Fill – Orange Top
• Lithium Heparin Screw Top 2ml Tube, 0.5ml Fill – Orange Top

These tubes contain Lithium Heparin anticoagulant and are available in 1.3ml (without gel) and 1.1ml (with gel) fill volumes. They are mainly used for clinical chemistry tests which are unaffected by Lithium Heparin. Using these tubes the blood can be centrifuged immediately after its collection. If the gel version of the tube is used the plasma can then be quickly poured off into a plain sample tube ready for testing, otherwise, the plasma should be immediately pipetted off.

Sodium Citrate Tubes

• Vetlab Sodium Citrate (9NC) Screw Top 2ml Tube, 1.3ml Fill – Mauve Top

Sodium Citrate tubes are exclusively used for coagulation studies. They are pre-filled with liquid Sodium Citrate and must be filled to the 1.3ml fill line on the label to ensure the correct ratio of blood/citrate.

Fluoride Oxalate Tubes

• Vetlab Fluoride Oxalate Screw Top 2ml Tube, 1.3ml Fill – Yellow Top
• Vetlab Fluoride Oxalate Screw Top 2ml Tube, 0.5ml Fill – Yellow Top

Fluoride-Oxalate tubes are exclusively used for Blood Glucose assays. They contain two separate additives: Sodium Fluoride and Potassium Oxalate. The oxalate component acts as an anticoagulant and the fluoride as an inhibitor of red cell glycolytic enzymes. These tubes are useful when there is to be a delay between sampling and testing when a centrifuge is not immediately available. The sample must eventually be centrifuged and the plasma tested.

We can supply most types of blood collection tubes and if you can’t find what you are looking for then please contact us and we will be delighted to help. Telephone: 01798 874567

Blood Collection Tubes for EDTA Samples 

For Haematology.

From the Vet-Tube® Range (2ml Screw Top Tube)

• Vet-Tube® E  EDTA 1.3ml Fill – Red Top

From the Vetlab Range (2ml Screw Top Tube)

• Vetlab KE EDTA  1.3ml Fill – Pink Top

Other Sample Tubes

• EDTA Push Top 0.5ml – Pink Top
• EDTA Push Top 1ml – Pink Top
• EDTA Screw Top 2ml, 0.5ml Fill – Pink Top
• EDTA Screw Top 2ml, 1ml Fill – Pink Top

Our Potassium EDTA tubes are ideal for collecting blood for haematology, cytology and fibrinogen testing on small animals. These tubes are not recommended for most clinical chemistry or immunological tests.

Firstly, one significant feature of our Vet-Tube® E is the use of liquid EDTA. This allows rapid distribution and effect of the anti-coagulant when the blood is added. Nevertheless, it is essential for the blood to be withdrawn and transferred to the tube and with minimum delay. Any unusual delay of the blood in the syringe can lead to blood clots forming prior to transfer to the tube. The needle must always be removed prior to dispensing blood from the syringe into the tube to avoid haemolysis.

Lastly, it is important for the tube to be filled to the line, not under-filled or over-filled. Underfilling can lead to shrinkage of red cells and false low PCV/Mhct readings; over-filling can lead to clot formation.

In summary, these precautions are particularly important when sampling cat blood which has platelets with an inherent ability to clump very quickly. These clumps cannot only form clots quickly but also can be responsible for giving falsely elevated WBC counts with automated analysis.

We can supply most types of blood collection tubes and if you can’t find what you are looking for then please contact us and we will be delighted to help. Telephone: 01798 874567