Comparison between a modified haemocytometric technique and electronic counters in goat blood cell counting.

Dilutions of goat blood with Hayem-Jørgensen's fluid ranging from 1:200 to 1:1,000 were used for haemocytometer counting of red blood cells (RBC) in 27 goats. The optimal dilutions were 1:400-1:500. Correlation studies between the results obtained by the haemocytometer and the Coulter counter red blood cell (RBC) and white blood cell (WBC) counts were performed in 551 goat blood samples. The haemocytometer RBC counts were 5.63% higher and WBC counts 2.79% lower than those of the electronic counter. The method of blood cell counting therefore influences the clinical haematological diagnoses and reference values in domestic animals. New cell counters specifically designed to measure cells of small volumes, e.g. goat erythrocytes, are needed.