Overview

• A measure of the mean RBC volume, calculated from the PCV and the RBC count.
• Can be estimated by examination of a blood smear Blood smear preparation.
• Volume must change in a significant proportion of red blood cells in order to alter the value from normal.
• May be measured directly by large commercial analyzers.

Sampling

Tests

Methodologies

• MCV = PCV (l/l) x 1000 divided by RBC count (10*12/l).
• Measured in femtolitres (fl).

Availability

• Widely available at commercial laboratories.

Validity

Sensitivity

• Low.

Specificity

• Low.

Result Data

Further Reading

Publications

Refereed papers

• Recent references from VetMedResource and PubMed.

Other sources of information

• Cowell R L, Tyler R D & Meinkoth J H (1999) Diagnostic Cytology and Hematology of the Dog and Cat. 2nd edn. Mosby, USA.
• Duncan J R, Prasse K W & Mahaffy E A (1994) Veterinary Laboratory Medicine Clinical Pathology. 3rd edn. Iowa University Press, Ames, USA.
• Jain N C (1993) Essentials of Veterinary Hematology. Lea & Febiger, USA.