Distribution of Acid-soluble Phosphorus in the Blood Cells of Various Vertebrates

This paper presents data on the distribution of acid-soluble phosphorus compounds in the blood cells of a few apparently normal individuals of each of forty-six species: twenty-two mammalian, twelve avian, six reptilian, four amphibian, and two fish. Since the studies were limited by availability of material, each order is represented by only a few species, and in many instances only one blood sample from a species could be examined. Little consideration could be given to the possible influence of age, sex, seasonal variation, diet, physiologic state of the individual, and other factors known to affect the concentration of phosphorus in the bloods of certain animals which have been studied more extensively. Although incomplete in these respects, the data permit a general description of gross differences in the concentrations and relative distribution of these phosphorus compounds found in the bloods of the several species examined. Such data on the distribution of phosphorus compounds in the bloods of the different species are of considerable interest in connection with evolutionary relationships among the species, a field of study which has been little explored. Kay (1) determined the distribution of phosphorus, including fractionation of the organic acid-soluble P by hydrolysis with bone enzyme, in the bloods of eleven mammalian species and discussed possible relationships which might exist between the phosphorus content and other properties of the cells. His data on the fraction hydrolyzable by bone enzyme correspond roughly with values for adenosine triphosphate, determined by other methods. Kerr and Daoud (2) in 1935 reported data on the concentrations of inorganic P, adenosine triphosphate, and organic acid-soluble P in the bloods