Practical Physiology

5th Lab.

Packed Cell Volume P.C.V.

(Haematocrit) and
Blood indices

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 Lab. no. 5: PCV (HCt.)

Principle:
A volume of uncoagulated blood is
centrifuged at high speed in a capillary
tube. The level of packed cell is read
directly from the graphic reader,
reader and the
reading is expressed as a percentage (%).
(%)

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 Lab. no. 5: PCV (Hct.)

Procedure:
 Fill a heparinized capillary tube with blood to about
80 % of its length.
 Seal one end of the capillary tube with sealing clay.
 Place the capillary tube in a high speed centrifuge.
The sealed end should be kept outside.
 Place the cover of the centrifuge and begin
centrifugation for (3-5) min.
Read the percentage of packed cells directly from
the graphic reader.

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 Lab. no. 5: PCV (Hct.)

PCV is seen in haemoconcentration

e.g.: dehydration, burns, and polycythemia.

PCV is seen in conditions associated

with hydremia e.g.: pregnancy and
excessive administration of fluid.

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 Lab. no. 5: PCV (Hct.)

-Normal (PCV) values:

 - at birth = 56 ±10 %

- adult male = 47 ± 5 %

- adult female = 42 ± 5 %
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 Lab. no. 5: PCV (Hct.)

Blood indices:
• Mean corpuscular volume (MCV).
• Mean Corpuscular Hb. (M.C.H.).
• Mean Corpuscular Hb. Conc. (M.C.H.C.).

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Blood indices:

1. Mean corpuscular volume (MCV):

Is the average volume of a single RBC in fimtoliters
(fl = 10-15 Liter).
PCV / liter of blood
M.C.V =
RBC count / liter of blood

Normal M.C.V.= 86 – 96 fl. Normocyte

* <86 fl. = Microcyte.
* >96 fl. = Macrocyte.
Examples of anaemia:
a. Normocytic anaemia ------Haemorrhage.
b. Microcytic anaemia -------Iron deficiency anaemia.
c.Macrocytic anaemia -------Vitamin B12 deficiency anaemia.

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Blood indices:

2. Mean Corpuscular Haemoglobin (M.C.H.):

Is an expression of average amount of Hb per cell
in picograms (pg =10-12gm).
Hb conc./ liter
M.C.H =

-Normal M.C.H.=
M.C.H. 27-32 pg. Normochromic.

* <27 pg. Hypochromic anaemia(Iron deficiency).

* >32 pg. Hyperchromic anaemia(Vit.B12 deficiency).

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Blood indices:

3. Mean Corpuscular Hb. Conc (M.C.H.C.):

Is the amount of Hb as a percentage of the volume
of a corpuscle.
Hb conc./ liter of blood
M.C.H.C. =
PCV

-Normal M.C.H.C.= 33-36 g% Normochromia.

<33 g% = Hypochromia.
>36 g% = Hyperchromia.

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