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Comparison of the 1H and 31P NMR Spectra of Erythrocytes and Plasma from some Australian Native Animals: Bandicoot, Echidna, Koala, Little Penguin, Tammar Wallaby, Tasmanian Devil, Tree Kangaroo and Wombat

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Abstract

1H and 31P NMR spectra were acquired from the whole plasma and ultrafiltrates of erythrocytes (RBC) from eight Australian native animals. Various metabolites contained in the samples were identified from their NMR spectra and their concentrations were determined where possible. The key observations were as follows. (1) High lysine concentrations in the RBC from Tammar wallaby (∼8 mmol/(L RBC)) were confirmed. (2) A resonance at δ 3.17 in the 1H spin-echo NMR spectrum of koala RBC was reassigned to the N+-(CH3)3 of betaine and not to ergothioneine as previously claimed. (3) A high concentration (∼10 mmol/ (L RBC)) of taurine was observed in the RBC from ‘little’ penguin. (4) The lack of ATP in the RBC of echidna, reported previously on the basis of standard biochemical assays, was confirmed directly by NMR spectroscopy. (5) The highest ergothioneine concentrations in the RBC of the eight species of animal were in the wombat (1.76 mmol/(L RBC)).

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Rae, C., Sweeney, K.J.E., Krockenberger, A.K. et al. Comparison of the 1H and 31P NMR Spectra of Erythrocytes and Plasma from some Australian Native Animals: Bandicoot, Echidna, Koala, Little Penguin, Tammar Wallaby, Tasmanian Devil, Tree Kangaroo and Wombat. Comp Haematol Int 3, 71–80 (1993). https://doi.org/10.1007/BF00368109

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