Red Cell 2,3-Diphosphoglycerate and Oxygen Affinity in Newborn Goats and Sheep

Abstract

Red cell 2,3-diphosphoglycerate is present in the red cells of fetal sheep and goats. Its concentration increases from 6 hr after birth to maximum values between 3 to 10 days. This increase occurs at the same time as a decrease in oxygen affinity. In vitro experiments failed to show a direct effect of 2,3-DPG on the oxygen affinity of fetal hemoglobin of goats.