Oxygen equilibria studies of the hemoglobins from normal and anemic sheep and goats

Abstract

In vitro O2 dissociation curves of blood samples and red cell hemolysates from normal and anemic adult sheep and goats, and from newborn lambs and kids were determined under conditions of either different partial pressures of CO2 or of different pH values at constant PCO2 pressures. The types and quantities of the specific hemoglobins, present in each of the various blood samples, were also determined. It was observed that blood samples and hemolysates from anemic sheep and goats, containing 86% or more of the "anemic" type of hemoglobin (Hb-C), exhibited an increased Bohr effect when determined under conditions of varying PCO2 pressure; this increase was almost absent when the Bohr effect was determined at constant PCO2 pressures, but at different pH values; and addition of sodium or pouissium chloride increased the normal Bohr effect of red cell hemolysates with [beta]-C containing hemoglobin types. The data were interpreted as being indicative for a significantly increased direct effect of molecular CO2 on the O2 equilibria of blood and red cell hemolysates of anemic sheep and goats producing large amounts of Hb-C. It was concluded that this phenomenon could be viewed as being advantageous to the anemic animals in transporting O2 to their tissues.