PHOSPHOLIPID-COMPOSITION OF ERYTHROCYTE-MEMBRANES AND PLASMA OF MAMMALIAN BLOOD INCLUDING AUSTRALIAN MARSUPIALS - QUANTITATIVE P-31 NMR ANALYSIS USING DETERGENT

The phospholipid classes of erythrocyte membranes and plasma from seve ral domestic animals and marsupials were quantified by P-31 NMR using detergents. Washed erythrocyte samples were thoroughly haemolysed by t ip-sonication and dissolved in sodium cholate; plasma samples were dis solved in Triton X-100. The species studied were: common wombat (Vomba tus ursinus), black-striped wallaby (Macropus dorsalis), bandicoot (Is oodon macrocarpus), Eastern grey kangaroo (Macropus giganteus), Tammar wallaby (Macropus eugenii), sheep (Ovis aries), goat (Capra hircus), cattle (Bos taurus), horse (Equus caballus), dog (Canus familiaris) an d rabbit (Orytolagus caniculus). There were considerable species varia tions in the relative abundance oi erthrocyte and plasma phospholipid classes. The variations may be attributed to the habitats and diets of the animals as well as to their phylogenetic differences.