Effect of Storage at 4°C vs. 23°C-25°C on Complete Blood Counts in Dunkin Hartley Guinea Pigs.

Abstract

BACKGROUND: Dunkin Hartley guinea pig is a common guinea pig strain used by researchers, but studies about the stability of Dunkin Hartley guinea pig blood samples stored at different temperatures are limited. OBJECTIVES: The study aimed to evaluate storage factors of complete blood count (CBC) in Dunkin Hartley guinea pigs. METHODS: We collected 2 mL blood samples from 20 Dunkin Hartley guinea pigs (weighted 250-300 g, 5-6 weeks, 10 males and 10 females) with 2 EDTA-Kvacuum tubes and performed CBC with a Hemavet 950FS analyzer at 0, 4, 8, 24, 48, 72, 96, and 120 h after storage at 4°C and 23°C-25°C, respectively. Analysis of the effect of the testing time, storage temperature, and sex on CBC was carried out by three-way repeated measures analysis of variance (RM-ANOVA). RESULTS: The results showed that white blood cells (WBCs), heterophil, lymphocyte, and monocyte counts, and red blood cells (RBCs) remained stable over time in 4°C storage. Only WBC, monocyte counts, and RBC remained stable over time with storage at 23°C-25°C. No differences were observed between 4°C and 23°C-25°C for WBCs and platelet count (PLT), but PLT was significantly increased from 96 h to 120 h at 4°C storage and at 72 h and 96 h at 23°C-25°C storage. CONCLUSIONS: When CBC in Dunkin Hartley guinea pigs has to be delayed, storing samples at 4°C is preferred, and the storage time should not exceed 24 h.