Degradation of glycerophosphatides during storage of saline-washed, saline-suspended red cells at -20 degrees C

When fresh intact red cells were washed and suspended in 0.153 M NaCl and then frozen-stored, the glycerophosphatide levels decreased significantly. Degradation began within 2 wk. Loss of phospholipid was not observed with hemoglobin-free red cell ghosts or plasma stored as long as 2 and 6 months, respectively.