Erythrocyte 2,3-diphosphoglycerate concentrations in hibernating, hypothermic, and rewarming hamsters (38589)

Hematocrit, hemoglobin and erythrocyte 2,3-DPG concentrations were examined in normothermic control, hibernating, and helium-cold hypothermic hamsters. Hematocrit was not signigicantly different (P greater than 0.05) between groups, but did reflect alterations reported for hemoglobin. Hemoglobin concentration did not change from control values during 12 hr at Tre 7 degrees; however, approximately a 20% decrease occurred in hibernators (48 hrs) and animals hypothermic (24 hr). 2,3-DPG concentrations declined 39.1 and 33.9% from control values in the hibernating and 24 hr hypothermic groups, respectively. No change was observed in animals hypothermic for 12 hr. Both parameters were studied in the aroused animal. Hemoglobin returns to control values immediately after the animals reached a stable Tre approximately equal to 37 degrees. Although 2,3-DPG levels increased during arousal, they were still 10% lower than control values in both metabolically depressed groups. 2,3-DPG remained approximately 10% less than controls in rewarmed hypothermic animals studied 2 hr after reaching stable Tre approximately equal to 37 degrees. The data are discussed in terms of cold depression of erythrocyte glycolysis.