Is the quantity of circulatory cell-free DNA in human plasma and serum samples associated with gender, age and frequency of blood donations?

Circulatory cell-free DNA (cf-DNA) is increased in a variety of clinical pathologic conditions; therefore, these markers could be widely used as markers for detecting and monitoring several disorders. To better understand the biology of this molecule, we analysed the relationship between the level of circulatory cf-DNA and physiological parameters such as gender, age and frequency of blood donations. Paired plasma and serum samples were obtained from 87 blood donors and 50 healthy adults who had never donated blood. Cf-DNA was extracted from plasma and serum samples using the MagNA Pure LC Instrument. Quantity determination of circulatory cf-DNA was performed by TaqMan real-time PCR for the ubiquitous GAPDH gene. Our data showed that the concentration of cf-DNA in serum was about eightfold higher than that in plasma. Regarding the level of these circulatory species, no significant differences were observed between the age-matched men and women and gender-matched, different-age cohorts, except in women who were older than 60 years of age. Frequent blood donations did not increase the circulatory species. Circulatory cf-DNA in plasma and serum samples is not correlated with human gender and human age except in women who are older than 60 years of age. Frequent blood donation did not affect the quantity of circulatory cf-DNA. The explanation for the latter most likely is the short half-life time of free fetal DNA in maternal circulation.