White Blood Cell Count in Hematology

White blood cells, also known as leukocytes, are essential for the immune system. Their primary function is to identify and eliminate foreign invaders, such as bacteria, viruses, and parasites, as well as to remove dead cells and debris from tissues.

Diluting the blood for WBC counting involves creating an isotonic solution, which means the concentration of solutes inside the cells is equal to the concentration of solutes outside the cells.

Turk's diluting fluid is a mixture of glacial acetic acid, gentian violet, and distilled water. Glacial acetic acid helps in lysing red blood cells and highlighting the nuclei of white blood cells. Gentian violet stains the nuclei of white blood cells, making them easier to count.

A hemocytometer, designed specifically for blood cell counting, is a specialized microscope slide with a chamber having a known volume. It allows researchers to count the number of cells within a specific area under the microscope.

Unlike red blood cells which are smaller and lack a nucleus, white blood cells are generally larger and possess a nucleus.

Hemoglobin A2 (α2δ2) is the predominant type of hemoglobin found in adults, constituting about 95% of the total. It is responsible for carrying oxygen throughout the body.

Hemoglobin F (α γ ), also known as fetal hemoglobin, is the main hemoglobin produced during the last 7 months of fetal development in the uterus. It has a higher affinity for oxygen compared to adult hemoglobin, enabling efficient oxygen transfer from the mother to the fetus.

Hemoglobin Gower-1 (ζ2ε2) is an embryonic hemoglobin that ceases to exist around the 12th week (3rd month) of pregnancy. It is replaced by other embryonic hemoglobins as the fetus develops.

Hemoglobin Gower-1 (ζ2ε2) has been proposed as a subject for reactivation in adults with severe β thalassemia. Reactivating this hemoglobin could potentially improve oxygen-carrying capacity in these patients.

Hemoglobin Portland-1 (ζ2γ2) has been proposed as a candidate for reactivation in cases of severe α thalassemia despite its instability. It is another embryonic hemoglobin that could offer therapeutic potential in this disease.

Hemoglobin Gower-1 (ζ2ε2) is the primary embryonic hemoglobin composed of 2 zeta or alpha with 2 epsilon chains. It is one of the earliest hemoglobins produced during embryonic development.

Hemoglobin Portland-1 (ζ2γ2) is an embryonic hemoglobin that exists at low levels during embryonic and fetal life. It is composed of 2 zeta and 2 gamma chains. Although it is unstable, its reactivation is being explored for treatment of severe α thalassemia.

Hemoglobin Portland-1 (ζ2γ2) is an embryonic hemoglobin existing at low levels during embryonic and fetal life. It is one of the two Portland hemoglobins, the other being Hb Portland-2 (ζ2β2).

Hemoglobin Gower-1 (ζ2ε2) is an embryonic hemoglobin that ceases to exist around the 12th week (3rd month) of pregnancy. It is replaced by other embryonic hemoglobins as the fetus develops.

Hemoglobin F (α γ ), also known as fetal hemoglobin, is the main hemoglobin produced during the last 7 months of fetal development in the uterus. It persists in the newborn for roughly 6 months. It has a higher affinity for oxygen enabling efficient oxygen transfer from the mother to the fetus.