Variability of erythrocyte size and hemoglobin content observed in man and four selected mammals

A new measurement technique employing light scattering at different angles has been developed for analysis of blood cells. This method which is part of the Technicon H*1 system, a hematology analyzer designed for routine processing of human blood samples, allows the independent measurement of cell volume and hemoglobin content of isovolumetrically sphered red blood cells. Analysis with this instrument of the blood of humans, dogs, rabbits, rats and mice demonstrates that in addition to the expected differences in hematologic parameters, the intrasample distribution of cell hemoglobin is species dependent. In general, cell hemoglobin content is more tightly controlled for the other mammals when compared to humans. In particular, the dogs tested showed the least variability in cell hemoglobin content both within species and within sample.