The multiple hemoglobins of the chick embryo

Abstract

Abstract Two embryonic hemoglobins are found in chick erythrocytes during early development by column chromatography on DEAE‐cellulose and by electrophoresis on starch gel and gelatinized cellulose acetate. Beginning during the sixth day of incubation these are replaced by three different hemoglobins. Following hatching, chicks lose the most alkaline component, so that in the adult two hemoglobins are again found. Chromatographic fractionation on phosphonic acid cellulose also revealed an increase in the number of hemoglobins present in chicks during their development. We report the presence of at least 11 hemoglobins whose relative concentrations rise and fall during chick ontogeny. Failure to recognize the multiplicity of chicken hemoglobins is believed to be the major source of the confusion regarding this subject in the present literature.