In vitro haematological parameters in whole blood used for oxygen-dissociation curves of fasting and digesting snakes (Python molurus)
| Experiment . | Before feeding (0 h) . | After feeding (48 h) . | Control (0 h) . | Control (48 h) . |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Hct (%) | 19.2±0.8 (9) | 16.6±0.8 (9)* | 21.8±0.7 (5) | 16.6±2.4 (4) |
| [Hb4] (mmol l-1) | 0.93±0.04 (9) | 0.74±0.03 (9)* | 1.07±0.05 (5) | 0.86±0.14 (4) |
| [Hb4]RBC (mmol l-1) | 4.83±0.09 (9) | 4.50±0.15 (9)* | 4.92±0.14 (5) | 5.10±0.16 (4) |
| [NTP]/[Hb4] | 2.42±0.15 (9) | 2.21±0.18 (9)* | 2.60±0.13 (5) | 2.45±0.12 (4) |
| Experiment . | Before feeding (0 h) . | After feeding (48 h) . | Control (0 h) . | Control (48 h) . |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Hct (%) | 19.2±0.8 (9) | 16.6±0.8 (9)* | 21.8±0.7 (5) | 16.6±2.4 (4) |
| [Hb4] (mmol l-1) | 0.93±0.04 (9) | 0.74±0.03 (9)* | 1.07±0.05 (5) | 0.86±0.14 (4) |
| [Hb4]RBC (mmol l-1) | 4.83±0.09 (9) | 4.50±0.15 (9)* | 4.92±0.14 (5) | 5.10±0.16 (4) |
| [NTP]/[Hb4] | 2.42±0.15 (9) | 2.21±0.18 (9)* | 2.60±0.13 (5) | 2.45±0.12 (4) |
Data for snakes that were not fed but sampled at a 48 h interval are also included (unfed control).
Hct, haematocrit; [Hb4], total haemoglobin concentration;[Hb4]RBC, concentration of tetrameric haemoglobin in the red blood cells; [NTP]/[Hb4], relationship between the concentrations of organic phosphates and total haemoglobin. Values are means± S.E.M. (N). * signifies statistical difference between 0 h and 48 h values at P≤0.05.