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Journal of Experimental Biology 61,285-290 (1974)
Published by Company of Biologists 1974

Increased RBC Count and Pulmonary Respiration in Cold-Adapted Frogs

R. V. KRISHNAMOORTHY ¹ and N. SHAKUNTHALA ¹

¹ Department of Zoology, University of Agricultural Sciences, Hebbal, Bangalore-560024, India

1. Haematological and respiratory parameters (including RBC count, CO₂ content and percentage oxygen saturation) were studied in cold-acclimated (12 ± 1 °C) and normal frogs (23 ± 2 °C).

2. Seasonal variation in RBC count was found, the count being higher in January than in September. Females showed higher counts than males. Cold-acclimation resulted in the elevation of counts in all seasons and in both sexes, and was accompanied by a rise in haemoglobin content

3. Cold-acclimated frogs retained a higher oxygen saturation in the truncus arteriosus than in the cutaneous vein, the carbon dioxide content of the truncus being also reduced in acclimated frogs. The O₂/CO₂ ratios were thus higher in the truncus than in the cutaneous vein.

4. Cold-acclimated frogs released more ¹⁴CO₂ through the lungs.

5. It is suggested that a change in the mode of respiration occurs when the frogs are acclimated to cold.