Variation in the composition of the venom from a single specimen of Pseudonaja textilis (common brown snake) over one year

Abstract

Venom was collected over a 12-month period from a single specimen of Pseudonaja textilis. No trends in the weight of venom extracted or protein content were noted. Amidolytic activity, coagulant and esterolytic activity showed a decrease over the summer months, while a rise in phosphodiesterase and 5′ nucleotidase activity was noted at this time. Precipitin lines developed against the venoms by brown snake antivenom showed variability over the 12-month period. Gel filtration and SDS-polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis profiles showed quantitative and minor qualitative differences; however, the variation noted in the activities of these venoms was not predictable from these profiles.