Serum and plasma are the most common clinical specimens used for electrophoresis applications. Urine and cerebrospinal fluids (CSF) are also suitable. Other bodily fluids, such as pleural and pericardial fluids, are analyzed less frequently.
Some specimens require pretreatment before electrophoresis. Low concentrations of proteins normally in urine and CSF are concentrated to have enough proteins for detectable separations. Some body fluids require the removal of pigments, salts, and other compounds that interfere with electrophoresis or the detection of separated solutes.
In molecular diagnostic testing of DNA and RNA, the nucleic acids must first be isolated from the specimen and then purified before separation with electrophoresis.
