Effect of incubation on red cell shape and water content as measured by gas-liquid chromatography.

A new method for measuring water content of red cells by using gas chromatography is described. Water content of healthy adult red cells was estimated to be 71.73 +/- 0.72%. Changes in water content and red cell shape following incubation are described. Intracellular water content increased in relation to the incubation time, reaching a maximum of 109% at 24 h, and then decreased to 82% at 48 h. Intercellular water content (trapped water) also increased for 24 h, reaching 209%, and then showed no remarkable change until 48 h. Observations with the scanning electron microscope revealed that these changes were associated with the process of transformation to echinocytes, both in numbers and stages.