Effect of temperature on the deformability of a lamprey, Entosphenus japonicus, and Pacific salmon, Oncorhynchus keta, red blood cells, studied using a modified filtration method

1095-8649

Blackwell Publishing Journal Backfiles 1879-2005

Biology

The rates of filtration through Nuclepore filters (5 or 8 μm) of blood from lampreys and Pacific salmon have been studied using a method which visualizes the flow pattern. From these measurements, passage times for single red blood cells have been calculated and serve as an index of their deformability. The deformability increases as temperature is raised in vitro, but even at 5°C the passage time of lamprey blood is relatively rapid. The increase in deformability with a rise in temperature is small relative to that found in other fish such as yellowtail and carp.The distribution of red cell volumes has shown the presence of a secondary peak for salmon blood taken during surgery which is reduced following recovery, the main peak being at a lower volume.

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