Foetal-Maternal Blood Respiratory Properties of an Ovoviviparous Snake the Cottonmouth, Agkistrodon piscivorus

  • Birchard G
  • Black C
  • Schuett G
  • et al.
N/ACitations
Citations of this article
16Readers
Mendeley users who have this article in their library.

Abstract

The respiratory properties of maternal, foetal and juvenile whole blood were studied in the ovoviviparous snake, Agkistrodon piscivorus. Haematocrit, haemoglobin concentration, O2 capacity, Bohr effect and Hill coefficients were not significantly different in foetal and maternal blood and were similar to values previously reported from snakes. A significant difference in foetal-maternal blood P50 (foetal 19·5, maternal 48·8) was found. Nucleoside triphosphate (NTP) levels were lower in foetal than in maternal and juvenile snakes. The foetal-maternal difference in P50 and NTP levels disappeared soon after birth (juvenile P50 45·5). Starch gel electrophoresis revealed no difference in foetal and maternal haemoglobins. We suggest that the foetal-maternal shift in blood oxygen affinity is modulated directly and/or indirectly by NTP levels.

Cite

CITATION STYLE

APA

Birchard, G. F., Black, C. P., Schuett, G. W., & Black, V. (1984). Foetal-Maternal Blood Respiratory Properties of an Ovoviviparous Snake the Cottonmouth, Agkistrodon piscivorus. Journal of Experimental Biology, 108(1), 247–255. https://doi.org/10.1242/jeb.108.1.247

Register to see more suggestions

Mendeley helps you to discover research relevant for your work.

Already have an account?

Save time finding and organizing research with Mendeley

Sign up for free