THE RELATION OF BLOOD OXYGEN TRANSPORT TO RESISTANCE TO ANOXIA IN CHICKS AND DUCKLINGS

Abstract

A study of the resistance of ducks and chicks to incomplete anoxia produced at simulated altitude is reported. The newly-hatched and young birds had greater resistance than older birds. The duck was found to be more resistant than the chick to incomplete anoxia at all ages studied. A study of the oxygen carrying capacities, total red cell counts, color indices, the amount of hemoglobin, and the oxygen dissociation curves of the blood of the duck and the chick is reported. The blood of the duck has greater oxygen capacity, higher total red cell count, higher color index, more hemoglobin and a higher percentage of saturation of the blood with oxygen at low oxygen tension when compared with blood of the chicken.