The Effects of Storage Time, Temperature, and Anticoagulants on Harp Seal, Phoca groenlandica, Hemograms: A Simulated Field Study

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Abstract
With sodium heparin, the hematologic changes were minimal in blood stored at 4.degree. C for at least 7 days and perhaps longer; sodium EDTA yielded completely reliable results at the time of collection. Irrespective of storage temperature, PCV [packed cell volume] determinations became increasingly inaccurate, as the remaining parameters were stable for at least 14 days at 4.degree. C and between 3 and 8 days at 25.degree. C; potassium oxalate caused red cell shrinkage immediately after being added to the blood and is contraindicated for any PCV assessment. The changes which occurred in blood, at least when EDTA was used as the anticoagulant, were temperature dependent. For seal blood studies, inorganic oxalate salts should not be used; if EDTA is employed, PCV determinations should be performed within 24 h in blood stored at 4.degree. C; the Hb and red and white blood cell counts should be performed as soon as possible but may be accurately assessed for at least 14 days in cooled EDTA blood. For establishing accurate baseline hemograms under field conditions, heparin is the anticoagulant of choice, since it preserves all of the assessed parameters for at least 7 days in blood stored at 4.degree. C.