An Optimized Method of Collecting Murine Peripheral Blood and Dilution Correction for Accurate Blood Cell Enumeration

Abstract

Accurate measurement of whole blood counts from mice is an essential quantitative tool across the fields of vascular cell biology. In particular, the measurement of platelet counts can be challenging as the process relies upon good phlebotomy technique, the inclusion of a sufficient amount of the appropriate anticoagulant, and very often dilution of the sample to meet the sample volume requirements of an automated analyzer. To minimize sample dilution, blood collection tubes pre-coated with the anticoagulant can be used; however, these are expensive and prone to blood clotting issues. Here, we describe a simple dilution correction method that accurately calculates blood-to-anticoagulant dilutions to generate appropriate volumes for automated blood cell analysis while minimizing blood clotting. We also discuss some simple steps that can be incorporated into blood collection methods to avoid artefacts during blood collection. Blood count data analysis involving volume correction and clot exclusion can significantly reduce variable blood cell count values among healthy untreated littermates. It also detects subtle changes in blood cell counts, mainly of platelets and RBCs in experimental settings, which can be masked in the absence of careful and precise volume correction. Blood count analysis with volume correction precisely determines mouse whole blood cell counts for investigators. The decreased variability in cell count values reduces the number of experimental animals required for meaningful analysis. © 2023 The Authors. Current Protocols published by Wiley Periodicals LLC. Basic Protocol: An optimized method of collecting murine peripheral blood and dilution correction for accurate blood cell enumeration.