The osmotic fragility of red blood cells: a re-evaluation of technical conditions

The osmotic fragility of red blood cells is influenced by even modest environmental changes. Consequently, the technical procedure must be strictly standardized. This implies that temperature equilibrium of the buffered salt solutions should be reached prior to the addition of blood. Furthermore, since erroneous statements concerning the composition of phosphate buffers regularly used to secure correct pH of the salt solutions have repeatedly appeared in the literature, pH control of such solutions prior to use becomes essential.