| abstract |
An additive solution is used to preserve normal red blood cell morphology during storage. The solution comprises a concentration of a nontoxic, physiologically compatible sterol, such as cholesterol, epi-cholesterol, lanosterol, stigmasterol, ergosterol, desmosterol, fucosterol, cholestanol, epi-cholestanol, coprosterol, epi-coprosterol, lathosterol, or campesterol. The sterol is present in a concentration of between approximately 1.0 and 3.0 milligrams per milliliter of whole blood. |