Save Our Seas Foundation 145d ago

In his latest blog, Daniel Montgomery explains the process of extracting, storing, transporting, and analysing blood samples taken from tope sharks in Pen Llŷn a’r Sarnau Special Area of Conservation. Samples are collected to determine whether there are reproductive hormones present in the sharks that they catch and tag. Blood samples are taken by caudal venous puncture, and then transferred to a pre-heparinised sample tube. This is then stored on ice until measures of haematocrit are made using micro-capillary tubes. Finally, blood samples are spun down using a microcentrifuge to separate blood cells from plasma supernatant which is then frozen for long term storage. Video © Jake Davies.