Rat embryonic and foetal erythrocytes. High 2,3-bisphosphoglycerate and ATP and low oxygen affinity in vitro for nucleated embryonic cells

Abstract

Embryonic nucleated red cells of the rat have high ATP and 2,3-bisphosphoglycerate and relatively low oxygen affinity. During foetal life they are replaced by large non-nucleated red cells with high ATP, low bisphosphoglycerate and high oxygen affinity. After birth, small non-nucleated red cells with high bisphosphoglycerate and low oxygen affinity rapidly predominate.