The major erythrocytic organic phosphates of the American eel, Anguilla rostrata

Abstract

1. 1. The major acid-soluble organic phosphates associated with the erythrocytes of eels, Anguilla rostrata, acclimated to fresh and saltwater were determined by ion-exchange chromatography. 2. 2. The major erythrocytic phosphate of the eel is guanosine triphosphate (GTP) † with adenosine triphosphate (ATP) as the second most abundant phosphate compound. 3. 3. Total phosphate concentrations were approximately equal in marine and fresh water eels; marine eels exhibited high GTP: Hb and low ATP : Hb ratios while fresh water eels showed lower GTP : Hb and higher ATP : Hb ratios.