Modifications of the Rous-Turner Solution for Preservation of Bird Erythrocytes. ∗

A concentration of 0.7% NaCl has been found by one of us (M.R.I) to be satisfactory for keeping the erythrocytes of various species of birds for relatively short periods of time, one to 2 weeks. In the hope of lengthening the time of survival of these cells, and at the same time retaining their agglutinability, modifications of the Rous-Turner formula 1 for mammalian cells were attempted. Cells from a species of dove (Streptopelia risoria), of pigeon (Columba livia), and of the domestic chicken (Gallus gallus) were used in about a 5% suspension with varying strengths of solutions.

A dilution of the Rous-Turner formula (9.2 gm. NaCl, 0.05 gm. NaHCO₃, 0.1 gm. KCl, 0.1 gm. CaCl₂) approximately isotonic with 0.7% NaCl was made by adding 32 cc. of distilled water to 100 cc. of the solution. For the trials, 100 cc. of the solution was diluted by the addition of from 28 to 34 cc. of distilled water. Equal parts of dextrose (Bacto) solution were added, in a concentration of 5.4% dextrose as recommended -by Rous, 1 and, also, 4.2% dextrose, which was an amount arbitrarily taken as being proportional to the original solution of saline suitable for the preservation of bird cells. Only sterile solutions were used. These were tested in duplicate with each of the 3 types of cells.

The dextro-saline solution readily supported bacterial growth, even at refrigerator temperatures, making it necessary to collect the blood under as sterile conditions as possible. A satisfactory procedure consisted in first sponging the skin area over the wing vein with tincture of iodine, then with alcohol. The blood, in quantity to approximate a 5% suspension, was added directly to the tubes (16 or 18 mm. dia.) containing the different solutions.