Abstract
Summary
Cooling the alligator rapidly to 5°C results in a lowered venous hematocrit but does not cause significant change in circulatory hematocrit. Total visceral cell volume tends to increase, although of the individual organs only one, the spleen, has a statistically significant increase in cell volume. Rapid warming of alligators to temperature of 35°C results in no significant change in venous hematocrit but in a significant fall in circulatory hematocrit. Organ cell volumes in general are lower, that of the intestine and kidneys significantly so. This release of cells must account for the maintenance of a constant venous hematocrit in spite of a great increase in plasma volume not accounted for solely by the significant increases in organ plasma volumes.
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