ESTIMATION OF PLASMA AND RED CELL VOLUMES IN PIGS

Plasma volume, haematocrit, and haemoglobin concentration were measured in 34 sows. Red cell volume and total blood volume were calculated from plasma volume and haematocrit. The method of back extrapolation of the logarith of Evans blue concentration to zero time possibly overestimated plasma volume. Haematocrit was found to be higher and more variable in the initial blood samples in each experiment, than in the blood samples taken 30 and 60 min later. In animals of the same parity, plasma and red cell volumes were closely related to live weight, but the relationship varied between parities. © 1969, Cambridge University Press. All rights reserved.