[Hemoglobin affinity for oxygen and the reaction of the gas-transport system in rats with acute anemia].

A population of Wistar rats was studied for a few years. The findings revealed a considerable variability of the hemoglobin affinity to oxygen: P50 (oxygen tension at hemoglobin satiation with oxygen for 50 per cent). Two groups of the rats were studied: with P50 = 31.9 +/- 1.0 mm Hg and P50 = 42.3 +/- 1.1 mm Hg. The 2nd group rats (with reduced affinity of hemoglobin to oxygen), in acute profound anemia, revealed an enhanced resistance of gas exchange against anemia, an augmented response of the circulation minute volume, a less obvious metabolic acidosis and a lesser degree of the brain tissue hypoxia.