Effects of anticoagulants and storage (4 degrees C) on packed cell volume (PCV) of Nigerian domestic fowl (Gallus domesticus) and guinea fowl (Numida meleagris).

1. Studies were conducted to determine the effects of anticoagulants and storage (4 degrees C) on the PCV of blood samples from Nigerian domestic fowl (DF) and the guinea fowl (GF). 2. Citrate significantly reduced pre-storage PCV of the DF in comparison with the effect of ethylenediamine tetra-acetic acid (EDTA). 3. It further decreased (P < 0.05) the PCV of the blood of DF and GF over 3 d of storage; this was similar to the effect of EDTA on the PCV of the GF blood. 4. Citrate and oxalates induced haemolysis of blood of the DF and the GF in storage faster than EDTA, but overall the haemolysis was more pronounced from red cells of the GF than from those of the DF. 5. The mean fall in the PCV of the DF was significant at 3.0 mg EDTA/ml of blood in contrast to the fall in the PCV of the GF blood.