This document provides information about hematological parameters and blood components. It describes that whole blood is composed of plasma and cells. Plasma constitutes 55% of blood and contains water, proteins, electrolytes, nutrients and wastes. Cells make up 45% of blood and include red blood cells (RBCs), white blood cells (WBCs) and platelets. Normal ranges are provided for various blood cell counts. Methods for measuring hematocrit, hemoglobin and performing a complete blood count are summarized. Red blood cell indices including MCV, MCH and MCHC are also defined. Finally, blood typing and Rh factor are briefly explained.

1. Practical Hematology Manual

2. Wholeblood8%ofbodyweight
Plasma
55%
Cells
45%
Water
91.5%
Plasma
protein 7%
Other
solutes 1.5%
Albumin 54%
Globulin 38%
Fibrinogen 7%
Other 1%
Enzymes & Hormones
Nutrient
Electrolytes &Gases
Wastes
RBCs
4.5-6million/mm3
Platelets
150,000-
400,000/mm3
WBCs
4000-11000/mm3
Neutrophils 60-70%
Lymphocytes 20-25%
Monocytes 4-8%
Eosinophils 2-4%
Basophils 0-1%

3. Erythrocyte Count
• Normal ranges:
– Male 5 - 6 million/mm3
or μl
– Female 4.5 - 5 million/mm3
or μl
– New born 6 - 7 million/mm3
or μl
• Erythrocyte count increased in case of polycythemia
and decreased in anemia

4. How to collect blood sample to do Complete blood count (CBC(
When blood come in contact with wettable surface e.g. glass
(tube), it will normally clot (by intrinsic pathway) as follow
We need to prevent this blood clotting to be able to proceed through
the intended CBC,
To do this we have to add anti-coagulants.

6. Hemocytometer
• The hemocytometer counting chamber is used for cell
counting.
• It is constructed so that the distance between the bottom
of the coverslip and the surface of the counting area of
the chamber is 0.1 mm.
• The surface of the chamber contains two square ruled
areas separated by an H-shaped moat.
Hemo / cyto / Meter
Blood / cell / counter
Thus, it is an instrument used to count the blood cells.

7. It includes:
-Neubauer’s slide
-Cover slip
-RBC pipette
-WBC pipette

8. Erythrocyte Count
• Principle:
• In order to facilitate RBCs count a specified volume of blood is diluted with a
specified volume of isotonic fluid
• Diluting fluid:
• One of the following solutions may be used:
1. Isotonic saline: 0.9 % NaCl in distilled water.
2. Hayam’s solution
• Sample:
– Whole blood using EDTA or heparin as anticoagulant.
• Equipments:
1. RBCs pipettes.
2. Neubauer's chamber.
3. Cover slips.
4. Conventional light microscope.
5. Clean gauze.

9. haemocytometer chamber
Pipette
Rubber sucking tube

10. • Each scale is 3mm wide and 3mm long = 3×3.
• The whole scale is divided into 9 big squares (9 primary squares).
• Each primary square is 1mm long and 1mm width = 1×1
• Each primary square is further divided into 25 secondary square
• Each secondary square is further subdivided into 16 tertiary square
• So the primary square is divided into 400 tertiary square

12. DILUTION FACTORS
For RBC counting
Blood is filled till mark 0.5 and Hayam's fluid is then filled till
mark 101. Both are thoroughly mixed and then few drops are
discarded which contain just the diluting fluid in the stem.
Thus, 1 portion out of 101 is discarded. So, 0.5 part of blood
is in 100 parts of fluid or, 1 part of blood is mixed in 200
parts of fluid Thus, dilution factor for RBC counting is
200.

14. Procedure
Carefully charge hemocytometer with diluted blood by gently
squeezing sides of reservoir to expel contents until chamber is
properly filled.

15. 4X to see the general formation of
slide.
10X for WBC counting
40X for RBC counting
FOCUSING

16. Adjust the microscopic objective lens 40X for RBC counting

17. RBC COUNTING
• Total no. of RBCs in 5 secondary squares = X
• No. of RBCs in 1 secondary squares = X/ 5
• X/ 5 × 25 = No. of RBCs in the primary sq (1mm2
) of diluted
blood
• X/ 5 × 25 × 200 = No. of RBCs in the primary sq (1mm2
) of
pateint blood
• Because the depth between the cover and slide was only
0.1 mm
• X/ 5 × 25 × 200 × 10 = No. of RBCs in the primary sq
(1mm3
) (= 1 μl of blood)
X = number of RBCs in 5 secondary squares
RBC COUNT = X × 10,000/mm³ or µL

18. Principle of WBCs count
Principle:
The diluting fluid lyses the RBCs but preserves leukocytes and
platelets. The diluted blood is added to the hemocytometer chamber.
Sample:
– EDTA- anticoagulated blood or capillary blood is preferred.
WBCs count diluting fluid :
• Acetic acid 1% (v/v) in distilled water.
• HCl 1% (v/v) in distilled water.
• Turk's solution.

19. Equipment
1. White blood cells count diluting fluid
2. WBCs pipette
3. Hemocytometer and coverslip
4. Microscope
5. Lint-free wipe
6. Alcohol pads
For WBC counting
0.5part of blood is mixed in 10 parts of fluid
So, 1 part of blood is in 20 parts of fluid
Thus, dilution factor for WBC counting is 20.

21. WBC COUNTING
Total no. of WBCs in 4 Primary squares = X
No. of WBCs in one Primary square (1 mm2
) = X/4 (diluted)
X/4 × 20 = No. of WBCs in 1 mm2
of undiluted blood
X/4 × 20 x 10= No. of WBCs in 1 mm3
of undiluted blood.
While X is the No of WBCs counted in the 4 primary square
• Normal Value: 5000 - 11000/mm3
or µL
No. of WBCs = X × 50/mm³ or µl

22. Coagulation time
Definition :-
It is the time needed
for formation of a hard clot.
Material:-
•Clean dry glass slide, stop watch ,
water bath 37ºC, syringe, alcohol ,
cotton .
Procedure:-
•Put a drop of the blood on the slide.
•The slide is placed on a warm plate at
37ºC.
•Every 30 seconds put a needle in the
middle of the blood drop and try to
elevate it
•blood coagulation start when fibrin
threads appear attached to the needles.
Normal : 5-10 minutes.
This test assess the
factors involved in
intrinsic pathway

23. Bleeding time
The time needed for bleeding
to stop.
• Materials:
• Filter paper, sterile lancets, stop
watch, sphygmomanometer ,
ethyl alcohol.
• Method:
• A sphygmomanometer cuff is
placed on the upper arm and
inflated to 40mm Hg .
• A sterilized area of forearm
without visible superficial veins
is selected and is pierced by
sterilized lancet in 3 points .
• Wipe the blood every 30sec from
the 3 points alternatively until no
blood comes to filter paper .
• Normal : 3-5 min.3-5 min.
• To assess the platelet
functions.

24. Hematocrite value (H.V.)
packed cell volume (PCV)
Definition:-
H.V. is the volume of RBCs in 100 ml blood or it is the
percentage of the volume of RBCs to the volume of whole blood.
Volume of RBCs
H.V. = × 100
Volume of blood
Materials:-
• Microhematocrite tube (75 mm long, 1 mm pore, heparinized )
• Microhematocrite centrifuge .
• Microhematocrite tube reader.
• Sterile lancet.
• 70 % ethyl alcohol.

25. Procedure:-
Obtain blood drop by pricking the thumb.
• Micro hematocrite tube is filled up to it's 2/3 with blood sample
by touch the drop of blood by one end of the tube.
• Close the empty end of the tube by plasticine .
• Centrifuge the tube at 13000 per minute for 5 minutes .
• Remove the tube and read H.V. by putting the tube on special
micro hematocrite scale.
Normal values:-
• Adult male 45% - 47 %
• Adult female 42 % - 44%
• Higher in new born 45 % - 49%

26. Hematocrite (PCV) determination
Capillary methods

28. Female: 36% - 48%
Male: 45% - 47%

29. Hematocrite (PCV) determination
Wintrobe method

32. Significance of the haematocrite
The PCV layer normally 45% -
47%
 Increased in Polycythemia and
dehydration
 Decreased in anemia and
overhydration
The Buffy coat normally 1%
 Increased in leukocytosis and
leukemia
Plasma layer
Colour : Normally faint yellow
 Deep yellow color indicate
Jaundice
 Red color indicate
Hemolysis

33. Determination of Hb values
• Haemoglobin can be measured by manual or automatic.
• Two method are common use:
1. Oxyhaemoglobin (HbO2method).
2. Haemiglobincyanid. (HicN;Cyanmethaemoglobin).
• A major a advantage of the HicN method is
availability of stable and reliable reference preparation.
• Other methods: Sahli’s acid haematin and alkalin-
haematin method.

34. Cyanmethaemoglobin method
• Use Drabkins solution which contain
potassium cyanide and potassium ferricynide
at pH 7 - 7.4
• Hb oxidation to methaemoglobin by potassium
ferricynide then combine to potassium cyanide
to form cyanmethaemoglobin which measure
at 540 nm by spectrophotometer.

35. Normal range of Hb in g/dl
• Hb g/dl=
• Men 15 ± 2 g/dl
• Women 13.5 ± 1.5 g/dl
• At birth 18 ± 4 g/dl
Principle of Hb cyanide method
• Blood is diluted in a solution:
• Contains potassium cyanide + potassium ferricyanide (Drabkin
solution)
• As a result this reaction will occur:
• Hgb, HbCO  methemoglobin HiCN (cyanmethemoglobin)
• HbS will not be converted using this method

36. Methods
• Set spectrophotometer to 0.0 reading at 540 wave length, using
diluted drubkin’s solution as blank
• Test the reading of the cyanohemoglobin standard solution
• Dilute blood sample in the working solution as 1:250 dilution
(blood: diluents)
• 10µL of blood in 2.5 mL of working solution in the cuvet, Cover
and invert the tube several times
• Let it stand at R.T for 5-10 minutes to insure complete conversion
• Put the cuvet in the hemoglobinometer
• Continue reading patient samples and determin Hb value of sample

37. RBCs indices
Red Cell Indices includes
1. Mean Corpuscular Volume (MCV)
2. Mean Corpuscular Hemoglobin (MCH)
3. Mean Corpuscular Hemoglobin
Concentration (MCHC)
These calculation requires the presence of
1. RBCs count
2. Hb value
3. PCV

38. Mean Corpuscular Volume (MCV)
• The MCV indicates the average volume of the red blood cells.
• MCV =
= (fl)
• Normal value for the MCV : 86±8 fl
• If the MCV is less than 78 fl, the RBCs are Microcytic.
• If the MCV is greater than 94 fl, the RBCs are Macrocytic.
• If the MCV is within the normal range, the RBCs are Normocytic.
Volume of RBC in femtoliters (fl) / μl of blood
RBC / μl of blood
Hematocrit x 10
RBC count in millions
1 μl = 109
fl

39. Mean Corpuscular Hemoglobin (MCH)
• The MCH indicates the average weight of hemoglobin in the red
blood cells.
• MCH =
• Normal value for the MCH : 27~31 pg
• If MCH is lower than 27 pg the condition is called Hypochromic
• If MCH is higher than 31 pg the condition is called Hyperchromic
• If MCH is within the rang of 27~31 pg condition is called Normochromic
Weight of hemoglobin in 1 μl of blood
Number of red blood cells in 1 μl of blood
Hemoglobin * 10
Red blood cell count in millions
(pg
)
1 g = 1012
pg
1 ml = 103
μl

40. Mean Corpuscular Hemoglobin Concentration (MCHC(
The MCHC is an expression of the average concentration of
hemoglobin in the red blood cells. It gives the ratio of the
weight of hemoglobin to the volume of the red blood cells.
• MCHC = Hemoglobin in g/dl
Hematocrit /dl
*100)to convert to%(
Normal value for the MCHC : 32~36 %
An MCHC below 32% indicates hypochromia, an MCHC above 36%
indicates hyperchromia, and red blood cells with a normal MCHC
are termed normochromic.
Hb (g/dl(
Hct(%(
MCHC (g/dl( = 15
45
=
X 10 150
45
=*100

41. What are blood types? Blood Types
AA or AO = Type A
BB or BO = Type B
OO = Type O
AB = Type AB
There are 3 alleles or genes for blood
type: A, B, & O. Since we have 2
genes, there are 6 possible
combinations.

42. Average Percents…
•Type O—46%
•Type A—40%
•Type B—10%
•Type AB—4%

43. Rh Factors
• Scientists sometimes study Rhesus monkeys
to learn more about the human anatomy
because there are certain similarities between
the two species. While studying Rhesus
monkeys, a certain blood protein was
discovered. This protein is also present in the
blood of some people. Other people, however,
do not have the protein.
• The presence of the protein, or lack of it, is
referred to as the Rh (for Rhesus) factor.
• If your blood does contain the protein, your
blood is said to be Rh positive (Rh+). If your
blood does not contain the protein, your blood
is said to be Rh negative (Rh-).
A+ A-
B+ B-
AB+ AB-
O+ O-
http://www.fi.edu/biosci/blood/rh.html

44. How common is your blood type?
46.1%
38.8%
11.1%
3.9%

45. Blood Typing Test
•Determines blood type and compatibility
Figure 19–7

46. Red blood cell compatibility table
AB+
AB-
B+
B-
A+
A-
O+
O-
AB+AB-B+B-A+A-O+O-
DonorRecipient

47. • SpecimenSpecimen : EDTA blood within 2 to 3 hours & collected to the: EDTA blood within 2 to 3 hours & collected to the
mark on tube.mark on tube.
PROCEDUREPROCEDURE
 placing a drop of bloodplacing a drop of blood from mixed samplefrom mixed sample on a clean glass slide.on a clean glass slide.
 Spreader slide using another clean glass slide at 30-40 degreeSpreader slide using another clean glass slide at 30-40 degree
angle.angle.
 Control thickness of the smear by changing the angle of spreaderControl thickness of the smear by changing the angle of spreader
slideslide
 Allow the blood film to air-dry completely before staining. (DoAllow the blood film to air-dry completely before staining. (Do
not blow to dry. The moisture from your breath will cause RBCnot blow to dry. The moisture from your breath will cause RBC
artifact.)artifact.)
Differential leukocytic Count
blood smear examination

48. STEPS FOR BLOOD FILM

50. Characteristics of a Good Smear
1.1. Thick at one end, thinning out to a smooth rounded feather edge.Thick at one end, thinning out to a smooth rounded feather edge.
2.2. Should occupy 2/3 of the total slide area.Should occupy 2/3 of the total slide area.
3.3. Should not touch any edge of the slide.Should not touch any edge of the slide.
4.4. Should be margin free, except for point of application.Should be margin free, except for point of application.
Normal peripheral blood smear