Leukocyte Count (W.B.C count)

White blood counts determine the amount of white blood cells that are present in animal’s blood. White blood cells form part of animal immune system. They aid body in fighting against infections and other illnesses. WBC count is also done in Hemocytometer or Neubauer’s chamber as in RBC counting.

Materials Required:

• Blood sample (Capillary blood or EDTA anticoagulated specimen)
• WBC diluting fluid (preferably Turk’s fluid)
• Gauze piece or Cotton
• WBC pipette
• Hemocytometer a.k.a. Neubauer’s Chamber
• Coverslip
• Microscope

Procedure:

• First, WBC pipette is filled up to mark 0.5 with blood sample and extra blood outside pipette is wiped out with cotton/tissue paper
• Same pipette is then filled with WBC diluting fluid (glacial acetic acid) upto 11 mark in pipette.
• Blood and then diluting fluid are mixed by rotating pipette horizontally in between palms of hands.
• Neubauer’s chamber is then removed from case and wiped it using clean gauze and swabs.
• Neubauer’s chamber is then loaded with blood through edge of glass slide and leaved for 3-5 minutes to allow to settle down WBC.
• Chambers is then ready to observe under microscope.

Counting WBC under microscope:

• The ruling is focused with the 10x lens and then count the WBCs on four large corner squares in the manner previously described with the 40x objective lens.
• Cells that are located on the lower and right line of 4 Corners are checked and counted in L shape as in RBC