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Recuento Glóbulos Blancos
Recuento de Glóbulos Blancos (Totales) - Procedimiento
The procedure for total white cell count proceeds in exactly the same manner as that described for red cell count. The unopette preparation is exactly the same, except that unopettes for white cell count are used instead. These unopettes have a different dilution factor (20), and they also contain an agent which lyses the red cells, allowing a proper count of white cells. (To review the unopette procedure please go to red cell count.)
Observe the grid of the hemocytometer below. White blood cells are counted in the areas coloured blue (4 corners). Consider the following: One corner grid of 16 squares is 1mm x 1mm in area and 0.10 mm deep. The dilution factor is 1:20. How would you convert the number of white blood cells that are counted in the four corner squares to the total number of white blood cells/µl? (N.B. 1 µl (microliter) = 1 cubic mm )
   How do I do this?  
The frame below to the right mimics what you might see looking through the 10x objective of the microscope. Only one blue corner of the grid shown above is visible. Count the white cells in the sixteen squares and determine the total white cell count. Note that here you are counting in only one of the corners, and that normally you would count in all four. Note also that a lot of debris is present on the slide, due to the lysing of red cells to allow for a proper white cell count. In a real laboratory session, one would examine "uncertain" elements with higher magnification to confirm that they are white cells.
The expected range for white cell count in both males and females is as follows:
4,000-11,000 /µl


Determine the white cell count for the subject whose blood sample appears in the frame.

  What is the answer?