Changes in CD34+ cell count in peripheral blood after whole blood donation

AimWe aimed to investigate the change in the number of stem cells and white cells in the early period following blood donation.Patients and Method22 male (71%) and 9 female (29%), 31 volunteers in total were included in the study. 450 ml of whole blood were collected from each of the volunteers for the donation. Complete blood counts were performed on the volunteers before and at 6 and 24 h after the donation and CD34+ cell counts per ml of peripheral blood were measured by flow cytometry technique.ResultsThere was a statistically significant increase in the number of CD34+ cells in the peripheral blood at 6 h following blood donation (p < 0.001). At 24 h, however, there was a statistically significant decrease in the number of CD34+ cells, compared to 6 h (p < 0.001). There was a statistically significant increase in the number of leukocytes in the peripheral blood at 6 h following blood donation (p < 0.001). At 24 h, there was a decrease in the number of leukocytes, which was statistically significant compared to 6 h (p < 0.001). When the difference in CD34+ cell and leukocytes counts before blood donation and at 24 h after blood donation were compared, the results were not statistically significant.ConclusionAs the result of this study, a transient increase in the number of CD34+ cells in the peripheral blood after blood donation was demonstrated, with a decline in CD34+ cell counts back to levels prior to donation at 24 h.