Characteristics of sodium transport in pig (Sus scrofa) erythrocytes

Sodium content, sodium transport (ouabain-sensitive efflux rate of sodium, oMosNa; and ouabain-sensitive efflux rate constant of sodium, oKosNa), [3H]ouabain binding capacity, and Na+, K+-ATPase activity were measured in erythrocytes from young pigs (Sus scrofa). The sodium content, sodium transport, and the number of sodium pumps (assessed by ouabain binding capacity) were lower in the pig compared to the human erythrocytes. The efflux rate constant of sodium, oKosNa was 36% and the ouabain binding capacity was 60% of those in human, suggesting the degree of activation of sodium pump units is much lower.