ERYTHROCYTE METABOLISM IN THE KOALA, THE COMMON BRUSHTAIL POSSUM AND THE WHIPTAIL WALLABY

Erythrocyte metabolism was studied in the koala (Phascolarctos cinereu s), the common brushtail possum (Trichosurus vulpecula) and the whipta il wallaby (Macropus parryi). Aspects of metabolism studied were the l evels of ATP, 2,3-diphosphoglycerate (2,3-DPG) and reduced glutathione (GSH), activities of erythrocyte enzymes, glycolytic rate, the rate o f glutathione S-conjugate transport (GCT), susceptibility of erythrocy tes to an oxidising agent and the effect of eucalyptus oil on the red cells. Some of the major findings were that compared to common brushta il possum and the whiptail wallaby, the koala red cells (a) produced s ignificantly greater amounts of lactate; (b) had significantly lower a ctivity of glutathione S-transferase, (c) had significantly lower rate of GCT, (d) were more susceptible to oxidant stress induced by acetyl phenylhydrazine (APH) and (e) exhibited a greater degree of haemolysis when incubated with eucalyptus oil.