Comparative erythrocyte metabolism in three species of marsupials from Western Australia

A comparative study was carried out to investigate various aspects of eryth rocyte metabolism in three species of marsupials located in the western par t of Australia. The burrowing bettong (Bettongia lesueur) and the Barrow Is land euro (Macropus robustus isabellinus) were captured on Barrow Island wh ereas the mainland euro (Macropus robustus erubescens) was captured from th e Pilbara region of northwest Western Australia. Aspects of erythrocyte met abolism studied included: levels of glycolytic intermediates, enzyme activi ties, sensitivity of erythrocytes to oxidants and methaemoglobin reducing c apacity. Some important findings were: (1) no relationship was observed bet ween haemoglobin and diphosphoglycerate levels; (2) both species from Barro w Island had lower levels of catalase than the mainland species; and (3) me thaemoglobin reductive capacity was greater in the erythrocytes of the burr owing bettong compared to the two species of euro.