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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.