Oxygen affinity in stored canine blood: the effect of prednisolone

Erythrocyte 2,3 diphosphoglycerate (DPG) levels and P450 measurements were made on canine blood stored in acid citrate dextrose solution at weekly intervals for four weeks. A negative correlation (-0.904) was found between weekly DPG and P50 values. The mean P50 measurement of 28.2 mm Hg on day 0 was significantly (P less than 0.001) greater than values measured on days 14, 21 and 28. Mean DPG values in the blood at the time of collection of 8.59 micrometers/gHB were only significantly (P less than 0.005) greater compared to values measured on day 28. On day 27, 0.5 mg of prednisolone sodium succinate per ml of blood was added to certain blood samples. This treatment did not result in an increase in P50 and DPG values on day 28.