Haematological Changes in Heat‐Acclimated Golden Hamsters

Summary. Haematological changes were investigated in heat‐acclimated hamsters. Haemoglobin, packed‐cell volume, and red‐cell counts were not affected by heat acclimation. Glucose uptake and osmotic fragility in the red blood cells of these animals were increased. The red cell ATP level was lower in heat‐acclimated than in control hamsters. No change was observed in the density distribution of the red cell population in heat‐acclimated hamsters. The resemblance of these cells to the red cells of hereditary spherocytosis and pyruvate‐kinase deficiency is discussed.