In vitro inhibition of glycolysis in blood and its effect on the haematocrit

Abstract

It has been established that in samples of sheep, ox and pig blood, the rate of glycolysis is a function of the concentration of white cells. The inhibition of this glycolysis using 30 mg. potassium oxalate + 10 mg. sodium fluoride per 10 ml. blood caused a depression in the haematocrit of 20 to 25 per cent. in pig, ox, sheep, goat and donkey blood. In the pig there was a subsequent reswelling of the erythrocytes at a rate which depended on the temperature of storage. The changes in haematocrit produce errors in the estimation of plasma glucose concentration. An anticoagulant containing ammonium fluoride which inhibited glycolysis completely without altering the haematocrit is described. The composition of this anticoagulant must be modified when used in samples of pig blood if alteration of the haematocrit is to be avoided. The anticoagulant had no effect on the glucose oxidase method of determining glucose concentration.