[Interest of the determination of reference values for the monosaccharide composition of the human erythrocyte membrane (author's transl)].

The carbohydrate composition of the human erythrocyte membrane was just established ten years ago. Carbohydrates have crucial functions in the membrane structures and the determination of this composition may have an important semeiological signification. In this way, reference values are necessary. The existence of possible variations of the composition with two physiological parameters: the groups in the ABO system and the age of erythrocytes have been investigated and are reported. Their repercussion on the determination of reference values is discussed.