Canadian Society for Medical Laboratory Science (CSMLS) Practice Exam

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Which animal is a common source of blood for blood agar plates?

Sheep
Rabbits
Goats
Dogs

The correct answer is: Sheep

Blood agar plates are a type of enriched medium used in microbiology for the growth of fastidious organisms, as well as for hemolysis testing. The most common source of blood for preparing blood agar plates is sheep. The reason sheep blood is frequently used is due to its composition, which supports a wide range of bacterial growth and provides clear hemolytic reactions that are easily interpreted. Sheep blood contains red blood cells that have a balanced nutrient profile, enabling a variety of organisms to thrive. This is crucial for identifying and differentiating pathogenic bacteria based on their hemolytic properties—whether they lyse red blood cells, partially or fully, or show no hemolysis at all. While rabbit, goat, and dog blood can also be used for blood agar plates, they are not as common in laboratory settings compared to sheep blood. Each type of blood may yield different results in terms of growth and hemolysis, but sheep blood remains the standard choice in most microbiological laboratories.