Content of 2,3-diphosphoglycerate and adenosine triphosphate in erythrocytes and the acid-base balance in adult and newborn rats during acute hypoxia

Abstract

It is shown that in deep acute hypoxic hypoxia the 2,3-diphosphoglycerate content is reduced and the adenosine triphosphate content unchanged in the erythrocytes of newborn rats. Under the same conditions adult animals show an increase of 2,3-diphosphoglycerate and a drop in the adenosine triphosphate content in the erythrocytes. The importance of these changes is discussed in terms of the mechanisms regulating the oxygen-transporting function of erythrocytes during acute hypoxic hypoxia in newborn and adult animals.