Blood Volume in Alligators During Prolonged Hypothermia.

Summary Alligators cooled for 24 hours (3–4°C) show a significant drop in red cell volume and in venous and circulatory hematocrits when compared with animals held at room temperature (24–25°C). These parameters are lower than those observed in animals cooled acutely (in 30 minutes) to the same temperature. The principal organ taking up red cells is the spleen although other organs, liver, lungs, stomach, and intestines also take up extra cells. Shifts in plasma are small and for the most part not significant. In spite of these changes, the final distribution of cells and plasma in the circulation is not affected by prolonged cooling.