Seasonal variation in various blood indices of the kangaroo rat, Dipodomys panamintinus

Comp Biochem Physiol A Comp Physiol. 1982;71(2):237-41. doi: 10.1016/0300-9629(82)90394-2.

Abstract

1. Various blood indices in the Panamint kangaroo rat revealed seasonal fluctuations. The red blood cell count during winter and summer averaged 7.2 +/- 1.0 X 10(6) and 9.2 +/- 0.2 X 10(6)/mm3 respectively. 2. The mean cell hemoglobin during winter and summer averaged 25 +/- 10.8 pg and 18.6 +/- 3.7 pg respectively. 3. These fluctuations may reveal a rapid rate of red blood cell destruction during winter in combination with a change in diet, concomitant to this, is an increase in mean cell hemoglobin of the surviving red blood cells.

Publication types

  • Comparative Study

MeSH terms

  • Acclimatization*
  • Animals
  • Dipodomys / physiology*
  • Erythrocyte Count
  • Hematocrit
  • Hemodynamics*
  • Hemoglobins / analysis
  • Leukocyte Count
  • Rodentia / physiology*
  • Seasons

Substances

  • Hemoglobins