IYAK - International Yak Association Micronutrients Research

SCIENCE NEWS: Micronutrient Research

ATTENTION IYAK MEMBERS WHO WILL BE SHOWING AT THE 2019 NWSS. PRELIMINARY DATA IS IN! WE WILL updatING MEMBERSHIP ON THE MICRONUTRIENT STUDY AND THANKING THE 12 RANCHES THAT WORKED SO HARD TO SUBMIT THEIR MUTI-ANIMAL SAMPLES!

Free Testubes Available from IYAK: Please contact the Registrar to have test tubes mailed if you are going to participate in testing. Don’t guess on this one. not all test tubes are created equal.

Micronutrient Liver Sample Submission Instructions

Diagnostic Center for Population and Animal Health
4125 Beaumont Road, Lansing, MI 48910-8104
Phone (517) 353-1683
Fax (517) 353-5096

The new test (Tissue Minerals, IYAK code #71939) includes all of the minerals from the previous Trace Nutrient Minerals: cobalt, copper, iron, manganese, molybdenum, selenium, and zinc.  In addition toxic minerals, arsenic, cadmium, lead, mercury, and thallium, are included.  The charge is $40/sample.

Toxic Elements in Whole Blood - Extended

Order Code: 70201

Section: Mineral Zone

Price: $80.00

Turn Around Time: 1-3 DaysDays

Test Started: Mon, Tue, Wed, Thu, FriSpecies: All Species

Although this assay can be performed on most/all species, robust validation data is not available for non-routine species such as zoo animals. Please contact the laboratory if you have questions on validation for a specific species.

Acceptable Specimens

SpecimensContainersMin VolumeWhole BloodLavender Top Vacutainer (EDTA)0.5 mL

Collection Protocol

Collect blood in an EDTA vacutainer tube. Gently invert tube immediately after collection. Refrigerate sample until shipment. Do not freeze. 

Shipping Requirements

Ship whole blood samples in the appropriate vacutainer tube with an ice We recommend shipping overnight using the MSU VDL Insulated Mailer with UPS (99220 - Single, 99221 - 3 pack or 99222 - 6 pack). 

Additional Information

The following elements are routinely reported for this panel: Antimony, Arsenic, Beryllium, Cadmium, Chromium, Lead, Mercury, Nickel, Selenium, Thallium, and Vanadium.

For a more limited toxic element screen, see Toxic Elements in Whole Blood (70200)

Smaller sample volumes can be analyzed. For any volumes less than the stated "Minimum Volume Required", please contact lab prior to submission.

Minerals, Tissue

Order Code: 50254

Section: Mineral Zone

Price: $40.00

Turn Around Time: 5 Days

Days Test Started: Mon, Tue, Wed, Thu, Fri

Species: All Species

Any of the Following Specimens are Acceptable

Specimens Containers Min Volume

Liver See Collection Protocol 50 mg

Liver Biopsy See Collection Protocol 50 mg

Tissue See Collection Protocol 50 mg

Collection Protocol

Collect tissue sample in a leakproof container. If sending different tissue types, please clearly label the tissue on the container. Refrigerate or freeze sample until shipment. 

Biopsies should be collected into a rubber-free tube to avoid zinc contamination. Microcentrifuge tubes work well for biopsies. Wet tissue masses collected from some selected surgical biopsy instruments are as follows: 
Stryker Double Action Biopsy Clamp (5.0 mm diameter) - 100 to 200 mg
Acu Punch (6 mm) - 90 t0 180 mg (dependent on depth of punch)
TruCut (14 G) - 20 to 25 mg (This is the amount collected if the notch in the instrument is full. Thus, two biopsy samples are required for optimal sample size, if the notch is full; more if it is partially full.)

This panel cannot be run on samples in formalin or saline. See Minerals, Fixed Tissue (50255) for all fixed tissues.

If less than 50mg of tissue is available, please contact the lab for special handling. 

Shipping Requirements

Maintain cold or frozen temperature during shipment. Ship tissue samples in a leak proof container. Please wrap primary container in a sealed bag to help contain the sample if damaged during shipment. We recommend shipping overnight with an ice pack using the DCPAH Insulated Mailer with UPS (99220 - Single, 99221 - 3 pack or 99222 - 6 pack). 

Additional Information

This panel replaces both the "Trace Nutrient Elements- Tissue" and "Toxic Elements-Tissue" tests and contains all elements previously included in those panels.

This test is used to diagnose mineral nutritional status and/or diagnose toxic levels. Liver is the preferred specimen for this testing. This test is capable of determining deficiency and excess levels of the minerals included. The following elements are routinely reported for this panel: cobalt, copper, iron, manganese, molybdenum, selenium, zinc, arsenic, cadmium, lead, mercury, and thallium.

Animal age is required for this assay as reference ranges are species-specific and age-dependent. 

Smaller volumes can be analyzed. For any volume less that the stated "Minimum Volume Required" please contact the nutrition lab prior to submission.

This test qualifies for the following herd discounts: 
11 or more animals - 10% off
26 or more animals - 15% off
100 or more animals - 20% off