Ionic hemolysis behavior of erythrocytes in rats of both sexes.

Erythrocyte microrheology changes were measured by cation-osmotic haemolysis in Wistar albino rats of both sexes. Erythrocyte membrane biophysical properties were estimated using the method of cation-osmotic haemolysis (COH) described by Nicak and Mojzis [Comp. Haematol. Int. 2 (1992), 84-86]. COH in male rats was higher in low ionic strength medium (spectrin skeleton) but without of statistical significance. The significantly higher COH in male rats in comparison with female rats was observed in higher ionic strength media. COH and erythrocyte deformability is also discussed. We suggest that changes in biophysical state of spectrin skeleton are followed by changes in lipid bilayer properties.