Determination of the Red Corpuscle Content

Abstract

Summary. A simplification of the method of determination of the red corpuscle content (the erythron) previously communicated is described. A blood sample taken from a rabbit is shaken in the thermostat at 37° for about 2 hours in the presence of labelled sodium phosphate and, then, it is reintroduced into the circulation of the rabbit. A comparison of the total labelled phosphorus content (radioactivity) of the corpuscles injected with the total labelled phosphorus content of corpuscle samples secured few minutes after the injection took place leads to the value of the erythron. The corpuscle content of the rabbits investigated varied between 20.5 and 26.5 gm per kg of rabbit weight. The authors wish to express their heartiest thanks to Professor N iels B ohr for numerous facilities kindly put at their disposal.