Erythrocyte metabolism in the Koala, the common brushtail possum and the whiptail wallaby

Abstract

Erythrocyte metabolism was studied in the koala (Phascolarctos cinereus), the common brushtail possum (Trichosurus vulpecula) and the whiptail wallaby (Macropus parryi). Aspects of metabolism studied were the levels of ATP, 2,3-diphosphoglycerate (2,3-DPG) and reduced glutathione (GSH), activities of erythrocyte enzymes, glycolytic rate, the rate of glutathione S-conjugate transport (GCT), susceptibility of erythrocytes to an oxidising agent and the effect of eucalyptus oil on the red cells. Some of the major findings were that compared to common brushtail possum and the whiptail wallaby, the koala red cells (a) produced significantly greater amounts of lactate; (b) had significantly lower activity of glutathione S-transferase, (c) had significantly lower rate of GCT, (d) were more susceptible to oxidant stress induced by acetylphenylhydrazine (APH) and (e) exhibited a greater degree of haemolysis when incubated with eucalyptus oil.