The plasma, cell and blood volumes of albino rabbits as estimated by the dye (T 1824) and ³²P marked cell methods

Abstract

At present the most satisfactory estimates of blood volume are obtained from summing simultaneous measurements ofplasma volume, made by a dye method, and cell volume made by a marked cell method (Reeve, 1948 METHODS GeneralThe best method of injecting exact quantities of solutions and withdrawing blood samples was found to be through a fine polythene catheter passed via an ear vein into the great veins near the heart. The technique of catheterization, which has many applications, is described in an appendix. The catheter was maintained patent by a very slow infusion of heparinized saline. Injected fluids were washed in with a little saline; the first portion of a blood sample containing the saline from the catheter was discarded.All animals were starved for 12-15 hr. before an experiment. A preliminary (blank) blood sample of 4 ml. was withdrawn. The suspension of marked cells and the T 1824 solution were then injected and washed in. About 8 min. later a 4 ml. blood sample was withdrawn, and after this at about * Work undertaken on behalf of the Medical Research Council.

The Changes in Cardiac Output, Right Atrial Pressure and Blood Volume in Haemorrhagic Anaemias in Unanaesthetized Rabbits

“…In fll normal rabbits, the mean plasma volume per kilofrrani was 39-6 ± 0-6 ml., agreeing closely witli the figures of Courtice and Gunton (1949) and Armin, Grant, Pels and Reeve (1952). Mean total blood volume per kilogram was 63-8 ±1-0 ml.…”

The Absorption of Labelled Erythrocytes From the Subarachnoid Space in Rabbits

“…After cistornal injection there waa lio systematic differeucc between homologous eells and the rabbit's own red cells iu absorption rate for the first 5 houra. Similarly, Armui, Grant, Pels and Reeve (1952) found no significant difference between blood volumea in rabbits measured with homologous labelled red cells and those with aiitologons cells. In the present experiments, lioivevcr, l(i hours after i-isternal iiijwtioii a miicli smaller propoi'tioit of homologous than of aiitologous ci' ILs was absorbed.…”

The relation of blood volume to body weight and arterial haemoglobin levels in rabbits

“…The average relation between haemoglobin and blood volume derived from equation (1) is shown for rabbits of 1 kg and 4 kg body weight. The points plotted for albino (0) and brown ( x) rabbits derived as described in the text from the data of Armin et al (1952) are systematically high relative to the values under.…”

“…Prediction of blood volume Armin, Grant, Pels & Reeve (1952, tables 2 and 3) measured body weight, red cell volume (using 32p), haemoglobin levels and haematocrit in eighty rabbits, with a weight range of 1-6-4*1 kg and average haemoglobin 12-9 g/100 ml. blood.…”