The influence of serum and serum proteins on calcium oxalate crystal growth and aggregation.

The effects of serum, albumin, alpha-globulin, and a mixture of alpha- and beta-globulin on the growth and aggregation of calcium oxalate crystals were measured in a standard seeded crystallisation system. At concentrations below 0.01% blood, which corresponded to microscopic haematuria, all were potent inhibitors of crystal aggregation whilst only having a minor effect on crystal growth. It was found that albumin, alpha-globulin and beta-globulin can account for the total inhibitory effect of serum on crystal growth and crystal aggregation.