Materials
Washed red blood cells prepared according to method above.
Micro-haematocrit reader.
Micro-haematocrit centrifuge.
Micro-haematocrit capillary tubes to fit the centrifuge and reader.
Plasticine to seal the ends of the capillary tubes.
Diluent DGV or PBS.
10 mL graduated pipette and pipette filler.
Method
1. Suspended red blood cells in 10 mL of DGV storage solution.
2. Fill 2 micro-haematocrit capillary tubes with the blood.
3. Seal one end of each capillary tube with plasticine.
4. Place the capillary tubes in the micro-haematocrit centrifuge with the sealed ends facing the outside of the centrifuge.
5. Spin for 3 minutes.
6. Remove the capillary tubes.
7. Read the percent packed cell volume using a micro-haematocrit reader.
8. Adjust the volume of the DGV so that it equals the percentage measured. This achieves a final concentration that is equivalent to 10 percent.