Counting microaggregate particles in blood.
A method is described for measuring microaggregates in stored blood with an electronic particle counter avoiding the usual use of a hemolytic agent. To overcome red blood cell coincidence at low dilutions of the samples two different sized apertures were used. The method reliably measures microaggregates  from 12.7 micron to 80.6 micron diameter. Hemolytic agents added to fresh blood were shown to induce the formation of microaggregates. The present study demonstrated that a tenfold reduction in a commonly used saponin concentration produced satisfactory hemolysis without inducing significant microaggregate formation. Hemolytic agents added to stored blood decreased the population of microaggregates significantly from that of unhemolyzed blood. This phenomenon was minimized with reduced saponin concentrations.
D000328:Adult; D001772:Blood Cell Count / Q000379:methods*; D002449:Cell Aggregation; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D012503:Saponins
D012503:Saponins