DIFFERENCES IN HAEMOGLOBIN CONCENTRATION AND HAEMATOCRIT LEVEL IN RANA RIDIBUNDA PALL. UNDER A DEHYDRATION STRESS

Abstract

The aim of this study was to evaluate the influence of particular water loss on changes of haemoglobin content and haematocrit level in marsh frog. During these research we used only mature females, taken directly from the natural environment, in two terms of the annual cycle, i.e. during hibernation (3rd decade of February) and during activity (3rd decade of May).
The amphibians in each term were divided into three groups. The control group had unlimited access to water. The experimental groups underwent a controlled dehydration until the loss of respectively 17% and 20% of the body mass. After the planned body mass loss frogs were sectioned and during the process blood samples, directly from the heart ventricle, were taken for the analysis.
The haemoglobin concentration was measured with the colorimetric method, using spectrophotometer Spekol 11 (Carl Zeiss Jena) and the haematocrit level was measured with the microhaematocritic method (modified Hedin method).
The result of analysis was that the dehydration stress has definite influence on elevation of haemathological indexes in frogs. In comparison to other species it is only a slight elevation. However the grater elevation of haemoglobin and haematocrit values can be observed during the active life period than during the hibernation. It is definitely due to differences of metabolism in hibernated (ponderous) and mating (very active) specimens.