Measurement of Red Blood Cell Volume, Plasma Volume, and Total Blood Volume in Baboons

Red blood cell volume was measured directly in baboons by infusion of 51Cr-labeled autologous RBC, and was indirectly estimated from the plasma volume measured with 125I-labeled albumin and the total body hematocrit. The total body hematocrit was calculated from the peripheral venous hematocrit multiplied by a correction factor; for nonanemic baboons the correction factor was 0.87, and for anemic baboons, 0.75. Within 2 weeks after the phlebotomy (150 ml of blood), the baboon's RBC volume was restored to normal. Posttransfusion survival of baboon RBC can be measured accurately in nonanemic baboons; the preserved RBC can be labeled with 51Cr and the RBC volume of the baboon can be measured indirectly from the plasma volume measured with 125I-labeled albumin and the total body hematocrit.