Changes in erythrocyte morphology and biochemical analytes in caprine blood products during 42 days of storage

Objective: To assess the effects of storage time on erythrocyte fragility and morphology, packed cell volume (PCV), hemolysis, biochemical composition, and bacterial growth in caprine whole blood (WB) and packed RBCs (pRBCs). Methods: This was a longitudinal experimental study. Blood was collected from 6 healthy goats and stored as WB in citrate phosphate dextrose adenine and as pRBCs in citrate phosphate dextrose with Optisol at 4 to 7 °C for 42 days. Packed cell volume, osmotic fragility, glucose, and lactate concentrations were measured weekly, and CBC, biochemistry, and aerobic culture analyses were performed every 14 days. Repeated-measures ANOVA or the Friedman test was performed as appropriate. Results: Changes in erythrocyte morphology were observed by day 14 in both WB and pRBCs. Increased hemolysis and leukocyte morphologic changes were observed by day 28, whereas osmotic fragility and PCV did not significantly change over time in either product. Potassium concentrations increased to 15 and 27 mmol/L by day 14 in WB and pRBCs, respectively, with a maximum concentration of 43.8 mmol/L on day 42. Lactate concentrations exceeded 2 mmol/L by day 14 in both products. Conclusions: Storage of caprine WB and pRBCs results in progressive changes consistent with erythrocyte storage lesions that may impact product quality over time. Clinical Relevance: Caprine blood products stored for up to 14 days may present a viable alternative when fresh blood is unavailable. However, the clinical effects of transfusing stored caprine blood products to recipients require further in vivo investigations.