Plasma and erythrocyte volumes of newborn rabbits delivered after 30 days of gestation

Abstract

The plasma and erythrocyte volumes of 18 rabbit fetuses delivered by caesarean section on day 30 of gestation were measured by a double labelling radioisotope technique after separation from the placenta. These late gestation fetuses were viable. A negative correlation was found between the bodyweight of the neonate and its blood volume expressed as a percentage of bodyweight. The equation of the linear regression line was Y = 92·3 - 3·9X. The haematocrit was 0·494 ± 0·029 I/l.