THE HEMOGLOBIN, OXYGEN, CARBON DIOXIDE AND HYDROGEN ION CONCENTRATIONS IN THE UMBILICAL BLOODS OF SHEEP AND GOATS AS SAMPLED VIA INDWELLING PLASTIC CATHETERS

A method is described for the introduction of plastic catheters into the umbilical vessels of fetal goats and lambs whereby samples of blood may be obtained over a period of days and weeks in conditions in which the mother is free from obvious stress. The results of the analyses of samples so obtained, indicate that (1) the oxygen capacity of the fetal blood does not increase after 100 days and (2) that the oxygen saturation does not fall systematically in the last month of gestation. Data on the day to day variations in the blood levels of oxygen, carbon dioxide and pH are reported.