Venom properties of the rattlesnakes (Crotalus) inhabiting the Baja California region of Mexico.
Seven species of rattlesnakes (genus Crotalus) from Baja, Mexico, were investigated for venom yield, protein content, lethal toxicity, 'Mojave toxin' content and hemorrhagic, esterase (BAEE), phosphodiesterase and protease activities. Venom yield was lowest in C. catalinensis and C. enyo enyo and highest in C. ruber ruber. All venoms exhibited esterase and phosphodiesterase activities, except that three (of 14) specimens of C. e. enyo lacked esterase activity. Protease activity was extremely low or absent in adult C. e. enyo, adult C. mitchellii mitchellii, adult C. viridis caliginis and juvenile C. r. ruber venoms. The venom of C. m. mitchellii was the only venom lacking hemorrhagic activity. This venom also had the highest lethal toxicity (i.p. LD50 0.13 - 0.24 mg/kg) in mice, and was the only venom that exhibited a toxin antigenically related to 'Mojave toxin'.
D000818:Animals; D003435:Crotalid Venoms / Q000032:analysis / Q000633:toxicity*; D004950:Esterases / Q000032:analysis; D006470:Hemorrhage / Q000139:chemically induced; D005779:Immunodiffusion; D007928:Lethal Dose 50; D008800:Mexico; D051379:Mice; D010447:Peptide Hydrolases / Q000032:analysis; D010727:Phosphoric Diester Hydrolases / Q000032:analysis; D011506:Proteins / Q000032:analysis; D013045:Species Specificity
D003435:Crotalid Venoms; D011506:Proteins; D004950:Esterases; D010727:Phosphoric Diester Hydrolases; D010447:Peptide Hydrolases