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Aspects Of Cardiovascular Oxygen Transport In Vertebrates, Michael Scott Hedrick
Aspects Of Cardiovascular Oxygen Transport In Vertebrates, Michael Scott Hedrick
Dissertations and Theses
The hematological and rheological characteristics of blood from a number of vertebrates was compared to assess possible species differences in blood viscosity that may influence cardiovascular oxygen transport. Nucleated red blood cells (RBCs) were more viscous (measured by cone-plate viscometry) in comparison with enucleate (mammalian) RBCs at hematocrits greater than 40% when measured at equivalent temperatures. The lower viscosity of enucleate RBCs is attributed to an enhanced deformability of enucleate cells in comparison to nucleated cells.