Calibration of the HemoCue point-of-care analyser for determining haemoglobin concentration in a lizard and a fish

Journal Publication ResearchOnline@JCU
Andrewartha, Sarah J.;Munns, Suzanne L.;Edwards, Ashley
Abstract

Haemoglobin concentration ([Hb]) is measured for a wide variety of animal studies. The use of point-of-care devices, such as the HemoCue, is becoming increasingly common because of their portability, relative ease of use and low cost. In this study, we aimed to determine whether the [Hb] of blue-tongued skink (Tiliqua nigrolutea) blood can be determined accurately using the HemoCue and whether the HemoCue overestimates the [Hb] of reptile blood in a similar manner to fish blood. Additionally, we aimed to test whether ploidy affected [Hb] determined by the HemoCue using blood from diploid and triploid Atlantic salmon (Salmo salar). The HemoCue Hb 201⁺ systematically overestimated [Hb] in both blue-tongued skinks and Atlantic salmon, and there was no difference between calibration equations determined for diploid or triploid salmon. The overestimation was systematic in both species and, as such, [Hb] determined by the HemoCue can be corrected using appropriate calibration equations.

Journal

Conservation Physiology

Publication Name

N/A

Volume

4

ISBN/ISSN

2051-1434

Edition

N/A

Issue

1

Pages Count

6

Location

N/A

Publisher

Oxford University Press

Publisher Url

N/A

Publisher Location

N/A

Publish Date

N/A

Url

N/A

Date

N/A

EISSN

N/A

DOI

10.1093/conphys/cow006