[Distribution of haemoglobin content in human red cells, estimated by scanning cytophotometry (author's transl)].

Haemoglobin content and surface area of human red cells were estimated using a scanning cytophotometer connected to a computer for registration and analysis of the data. The measurements were carried out on fixed, unstained peripheral blood smears at a wavelength of 414 nm. The scanning can be controlled on the screen in order to detect errors and to eliminate extinctions from other sources than the cell examined. The method allows to demonstrate the topographic quantitative distribution of haemoglobin within the cell, to estimate haemoglobin content and surface area in individual cells and to correlate these values, to establish frequency distributions of the data within cell populations and to calculate various statistical parameters. Results of measurements on normal and abnormal red cells (iron deficiency, haemolytic anaemias) are demonstrated. The method may be used for investigation on red cell pathophysiology and may serve as a basis for image analysis in blood smears. It is too time consuming for direct diagnostic application in clinical practice.