Red-Cell Metabolism in the Brown Antechinus, the Bilby and the Rufous Hare-Wallaby

Abstract

Standard haematological parameters measured in the bilby (Macrotis lagotis) and the rufous hare-wallaby (Lagorchestes hirsutus) were not markedly different. Both species had very high levels of red blood cell 2,3-diphosphoglycerate, whilst the levels of adenosine triphosphate were within the range of most marsupials and mammals. The activities of red-cell enzymes were measured in these two species as well as in the brown antechinus (Antechinus stuartii). Some significant findings were (i) very high levels of hexokinase, glyceraldehyde phosphate dehydrogenase and lactate dehydrogenase in the antechinus and (ii) very high levels of glucose-6-phosphate dehydrogenase and glutathione peroxidase in the rufous hare-wallaby. The glycolytic rate, measured as the amount of lactate produced by the red cells incubated with eight different substrates, was found to be generally higher in the antechinus than in the other two species. The maximum rate of glycolysis was observed with mannose whilst galactose was a poor substrate in all three species.