Effect of time delay and storage temperature on blood gas and acid-base values of bovine venous blood

Changes in venous blood gas composition and acid-base equilibrium in Holstein cattle blood samples kept under different temperatures at various time points were investigated. The blood samples were collected from 3 healthy multiparous Holstein cows. A total of 9 blood samples obtained from the animals were allocated into three groups and kept at + 4 0C for Group 1 (n = 3), at room temperature, 22 0C, for Group 2 (n = 3), and in an incubator at 37 0C for Group 3 (n = 3). Blood gases were analyzed at 0, 1, 3, 6, 12 and 24h after the storage. The analyses of the blood samples indicated no change at pH and pCO2 at +40C and +220C for the first hour. Similarly, in addition to O2SAT at +40C for 3h and at +220C for 6h; O2CT at +40C and at +220C for 24h, HCO3 and BB values at +40C, +220C, and +370C for 24h remained unchanged. By contrast, PO2, BE and glucose levels in the samples were markedly altered within the first hour.Key words: Temparature, blood gas, pH, bovine, time.