title: Cytofluorometric study of the erythrocyte glycoconjugates content in different species of vertebrates.
abstract: The PAS-positive material was measured by cytofluorometry in peripheral circulating erythrocytes of 22 species from different classes of Vertebrates. The following parameters were considered: total fluorescence intensity per cell, concentration index, fluorescence fading. The highest variability of concentration indexes was found in Fishes with a minimum in the more active swimmers (Scylliorhinus and Salmo); this fact may be related to a more intense erythropoiesis. The values were more homogeneous in the Amphibians, Reptiles, and Birds, the difference never exceeding 1/2 between the maximum and minimum values. The lowest concentration indexes were found in Mammals, a class with very specialized and enucleated erythrocytes: the data appear rather heterogeneous with a minimum in Macaca. The patterns of fluorescence fading suggest a biochemical homogeneity of the PAS-positive erythrocyte material in the species considered. This fact might indicate the presence of a fundamental biochemical component possibly linked to different structures of the red cells.
mesh_terms: D000663:Amphibians; D000818:Animals; D001717:Birds; D002241:Carbohydrates / Q000097:blood*; D004285:Dogs; D004912:Erythrocytes / Q000032:analysis*; D005399:Fishes; D005470:Fluorometry; D006651:Histocytochemistry; D006801:Humans; D008251:Macaca; D010503:Periodic Acid-Schiff Reaction; D051381:Rats; D013045:Species Specificity; D014714:Vertebrates / Q000097:blood*
chemical_list: D002241:Carbohydrates