[Physiological and biochemical characteristics of the blood of the Greenland seal, Pagophilus groenlandicus].

High hemoglobin concentration, rich hemoglobin supply of the body and high specific weight of the blood were found in harp seal cubs. The erythrocyte number is relatively low which agrees with our previous studies on aquatic and semi-aquatic mammals. Serum proteins from both adult and young harp seals are separated into 5-8 fractions during agar-agar gel electrophoresis. Diving of seals for considerable periods is partly accounted for by high hemoglobin and myoglobin concentrations adn also by perfect supply of the organism by these pigments.