Techniques for Studies of Hemoglobin Synthesis in Daphnia

Abstract

A new spectrochemical technique for determination of hemoglobin content in pale and red Daphnia is presented. Using this method the primary stimulus for hemoglobin synthesis of low dissolved O2 content in the culture water was confirmed. Spectral-transmittance curves of Daphnia hemoglobin are figured and compared to those of rabbit hemoglobin. A method for controlling O2 level in culture flasks by use of hypodermic needles and air tight rubber caps is described. A first approximation toward a semisynthetic medium for Daphnia is discussed.