nck21 said:
We are going to test some cows and have red top tubes from SEK for biopryn. Can I use these? Are they the same as purple top tubes? Thanks
short answer NO
to get the DNA you need the white cells (ie cells with a nucleus) and you need them floating free so they can be removed
red top tube is a clot tube - -it has nothing in it - so the blood naturally clots -purpose is to get the serum (yellow fluid above the clot) - all the cells (white, red and platelets- are in a big gemish in the clot; blood being able to clot is good so you don't bleed to death but bad for getting DNA
serum is used to test for hormones, electrolytes etc
whole blood for complete blood counts etc - where the cells are floating free
Purple top tubes have the anit coagulant EDTA in them so the bolld doesn't clot - you need to rock them back and forth after you draw the blood so the EDTA gets mixed in
ps need to use separate needle and syringe (If that is how you draw blood) or separate needle and tube for each critter