Respiratory function of blood of the avians

Individual blood samples were collected from wing veins of eight adult pigeons, two adult chickens and four adult geese and were analyzed for oxygen dissociation curves by hemo-scan, an instrument measuring PO2 and O2 saturation simultaneously. The findings agree with the common belief that avian blood in general has a low affinity for oxygen. Blood pH, PCO2, concentration of 2,3-DPG, lactic acid, pyruvic acid, red blood cell, hemoglobin and hematocrit were also determined, the related parameters have been calculated. Normal values of those variables were reported and the possible effects of some of those parameters on oxygen affinity are postulated.