Changes in blood gas and acid-base values of bovine venous blood during storage.

The stability of blood gas and acid-base values in bovine venous blood samples (n = 22) stored on ice for 3, 6, 9, or 24 hours was studied. Values studied include pH, PO2 and PCO2 tensions, base excess, standard base excess, bicarbonate concentration, standard bicarbonate concentration, total carbon dioxide content, oxygen saturation, and hemoglobin. The results indicate that, except for PCO2, changes in blood gas and acid-base values during 24 hours of storage and differences between cattle of differing ages, rectal temperatures, and acid-base status were too small to be of clinical significance. Therefore, bovine venous blood samples stored up to 24 hours on ice are of diagnostic utility.