Sahli Experiment

Question 1

Apparatus used

Answer 1

Sahli / hemoglobinometer

Question 2

Importance of the test

Answer 2

Diagnosis of anemia and polycythemia

Question 3

Materials used

Answer 3

0.1 diluted hcl solution plus 20 microl. of blood extracted by pipette
Distilled water and the sahli tube

Question 4

Steps

Answer 4

Add 0.1 hydrochloric acid solution in tube till 10 % mark of tube, then add the 20 microns of blood to tube, mix blood and hcl then leave tube to incubate for ten minutes
Add distilled water till colors are the same with other tubes

Question 5

Precautions of the experiment

Answer 5

Don’t lift tip of pipette out of blood to avoid enters of air bubbles
Insert tip below surface of hcl solution then blow out blood gently , so no air bubbles in column
Sterilize patient’s finger
Wipe out blood outside tube using filter paper

Question 6

Role of hcl in the experiment

Answer 6

Diluted hcl rupture the red blood cells to release hemoglobin to unite with it forming acid hematin which is brown in color

Question 7

Normal values for experiment

Answer 7

Normal for males is: 15-16 gm/100ml of blood
Normal females: 13-14 gm/100ml of blood
Above this level is polycythemia, while below that level is called anemia

Question 8

Why hb in males higher than females

Answer 8

Due to androgens in males that stimulate rbcs production called erythropoiesis by erythropoietin hormone production
Also due to females menstrual cycles

Question 9

Relationship of hb with age

Answer 9

Inversely proportional

Question 10

Variation in hb values

Answer 10

New borns: 19gm/100ml of blood due to relative intrauterine hypoxia stimulate rbcs production by erythropoiesis
Kidney disease cause anemia due decreased erythropoietin hormone
People living at high altitudes have polycythemia due to hypoxia as pressure O2 at high places is low so stimulate erythropoiesis
Chronic bleeding cause anemia due to iron loss so cause microcytic microchromic anemia