Comparative study of the oxyhaemoglobin dissociation curve of four mammals: man, dog, horse and cattle.
Abstract: 1. The entire oxygen dissociation curve (ODC) and the effects of temperature, pH and 2,3-diphosphoglycerate (DPG) on this curve, have been compared in four mammalians: man, dog, horse and cattle. 2. If the oxyphoric capacities are similar between these species (around 1.39 ml O2/gHb), their P50, measured in standard conditions, i.e. at pH 7.4; pCO2 40 mmHg and T 37 degrees C, varies between 23.8 (+/- 0.8) mmHg for the horse, 25.0 (+/- 1.4) mmHg for cattle, 26.6 (+/- 1.2) for man and 28.8 (+/- 2.6) mmHg for the dog. 3. The higher dispersion of the dog's P 50 is due to difference between breeds; in seven breeds investigated, the P 50 ranges from 25.8 (spaniel) to 35.8 (hound). 4. We noted no sex difference in the four species. 5. The DPG level is confirmed to be low in cattle (< 1 mumol/gHb) as compared to man (13.5 +/- 2.1 mumol/gHb), horse (16.9 +/- 1.1 mumol/gHb) and dog (19.4 +/- 2.8 mumol/gHb). 6. The oxygen exchange fraction defined as the difference in vol% between a pO2 of 80 and 35 mmHg is, respectively, 3.6 (+/- 0.6) vol% for cattle, 4.0 (+/- 0.4) vol% for the horse, 5.5 (+/- 0.5) vol% for man and 6.6 (+/- 1.7) vol% for the dog. 7. The position and shape of the ODC, as well as T, DPG and pH effects, indicate that the haemoglobin of man and dog seem better adapted to O2 delivery as compared to the horse and cattle.
Publication Date: 1993-12-01 PubMed ID: 7906628DOI: 10.1016/0300-9629(93)90382-eGoogle Scholar: Lookup
The Equine Research Bank provides access to a large database of publicly available scientific literature. Inclusion in the Research Bank does not imply endorsement of study methods or findings by Mad Barn.
- Comparative Study
- Journal Article
- Research Support
- Non-U.S. Gov't
Summary
This research summary has been generated with artificial intelligence and may contain errors and omissions. Refer to the original study to confirm details provided. Submit correction.
This study compares the oxyhaemoglobin dissociation curve, which plots the relation between the oxygen saturation of haemoglobin and the partial pressure of oxygen, in humans, dogs, horses, and cattle. It examines how factors like temperature, pH, and 2,3-diphosphoglycerate (DPG) levels affect this curve, and suggests that human and canine haemoglobin is better adapted for oxygen delivery than that of horses and cattle.
Oxygen Dissociation Curve across Species
- The researchers examined the oxygen dissociation curve (ODC) in four mammals: humans, dogs, horses, and cattle.
- The study found similar oxyphoric capacities (the ability to carry oxygen) across the species. However, the P50 – oxygen pressure when haemoglobin is 50% saturated – varied.
- Among the animals studied, horses had the lowest P50 at 23.8 mmHg, followed by cattle, humans, and dogs at 25.0, 26.6, and 28.8 mmHg respectively.
Impact of Breed on P50 in Dogs
- Significant variation was found in the P50 values among different dog breeds.
- In the seven breeds surveyed, the P50 ranged from 25.8 mmHg in spaniels to 35.8 mmHg in hounds.
- No differences were found based on sex in any of the four species.
Effects of 2,3-Diphosphoglycerate (DPG) Levels
- DPG can affect the ODC, making hemoglobin more or less likely to release oxygen to the tissues.
- Cattle have the lowest DPG levels as compared to humans, dogs, and horses.
Implications for Oxygen Delivery
- The study concluded that the haemoglobin of humans and dogs seemed better adapted to oxygen delivery compared to that of horses and cattle.
- The oxygen exchange fraction – the difference in volume percent between a pO2 of 80 and 35 mmHg – was highest in dogs, followed by humans, horses, and cattle.
- The position and shape of the ODC as well as the effects of temperature, DPG, and pH suggest that human and dog haemoglobin are more efficient in delivering oxygen to tissues.
Cite This Article
APA
Clerbaux T, Gustin P, Detry B, Cao ML, Frans A.
(1993).
Comparative study of the oxyhaemoglobin dissociation curve of four mammals: man, dog, horse and cattle.
Comp Biochem Physiol Comp Physiol, 106(4), 687-694.
https://doi.org/10.1016/0300-9629(93)90382-e Publication
Researcher Affiliations
- Department of Internal Medicine, Universitaires St Luc, Bruxelles, Belgium.
MeSH Terms
- 2,3-Diphosphoglycerate
- Adult
- Animals
- Carboxyhemoglobin / metabolism
- Cattle
- Diphosphoglyceric Acids / blood
- Dogs
- Female
- Horses
- Humans
- Hydrogen-Ion Concentration
- Male
- Middle Aged
- Oxygen / blood
- Oxyhemoglobins / metabolism
- Species Specificity
- Temperature
Citations
This article has been cited 14 times.- Tucker L, Almeida D, Wendt-Hornickle E, Baldo CF, Allweiler S, Guedes AGP. Effect of 15° Reverse Trendelenburg Position on Arterial Oxygen Tension during Isoflurane Anesthesia in Horses. Animals (Basel) 2022 Feb 1;12(3).
- Jones T, Feng C, Duke-Novakovski T. Changes in CO-oximetry values and pulse oximetry in isoflurane-anesthetized dogs with and without nitrous oxide. Can J Vet Res 2020 Apr;84(2):83-90.
- Zalev J, Richards LM, Clingman BA, Harris J, Cantu E, Menezes GLG, Avila C, Bertrand A, Saenz X, Miller S, Oraevsky AA, Kolios MC. Opto-acoustic imaging of relative blood oxygen saturation and total hemoglobin for breast cancer diagnosis. J Biomed Opt 2019 Dec;24(12):1-16.
- Tapio H, Raekallio MR, Mykkänen A, Männikkö S, Scheinin M, Bennett RC, Vainio O. Effects of vatinoxan on cardiorespiratory function and gastrointestinal motility during constant-rate medetomidine infusion in standing horses. Equine Vet J 2019 Sep;51(5):646-652.
- Fiems LO. Double Muscling in Cattle: Genes, Husbandry, Carcasses and Meat. Animals (Basel) 2012 Sep 20;2(3):472-506.
- Soares JH, Brosnan RJ, Fukushima FB, Hodges J, Liu H. Solubility of haloether anesthetics in human and animal blood. Anesthesiology 2012 Jul;117(1):48-55.
- Zaldivar-Lopez S, Chisnell HK, Couto CG, Westendorf-Stingle N, Marin LM, Iazbik MC, Cooper ES, Wellman ML, Muir Iii WW. Blood gas analysis and cooximetry in retired racing Greyhounds. J Vet Emerg Crit Care (San Antonio) 2011 Feb;21(1):24-8.
- Campbell EH, Gibson JS. Oxygen-dependent K+ fluxes in sheep red cells. J Physiol 1998 Feb 1;506 ( Pt 3)(Pt 3):679-88.
- Cambier C, Ratz V, Rollin F, Frans A, Clerbaux T, Gustin P. The effects of hypertonic saline in healthy and diseased animals. Vet Res Commun 1997 Jul;21(5):303-16.
- Honess NA, Gibson JS, Cossins AR. The effects of oxygenation upon the Cl-dependent K flux pathway in equine red cells. Pflugers Arch 1996 Jun;432(2):270-7.
- Sheng M, Li W, You G, Wang Y, Li P, Tao S, Gao D, Zhou H, Zhao L. Hemoglobin Oxygen Affinity Does Not Change in the Canine Model of Moderate Acute Normovolemic Hemodilution. ACS Omega 2025 Sep 16;10(36):41620-41629.
- Boesch JM, Gleed RD, Buss PE, Tordiffe ASW, Zeiler GE, Miller MA, Viljoen F, Harvey BH, Parry SA, Meyer LCR. Etorphine induces pathophysiology in immobilized white rhinoceros through sympathomimesis that is attenuated by butorphanol. Conserv Physiol 2025;13(1):coaf009.
- Stone K, Al Rifai N, Fischesser DM, Dumancic J, Abid S, Willett D, Holland CK, Haworth KJ. Acoustic Droplet Vaporization Efficiency and Oxygen Scavenging in Whole Blood. Ultrasound Med Biol 2025 Feb;51(2):402-413.
- Zanusso F, De Benedictis GM, Zemko P, Bellini L. Non-invasive assessment of oxygenation status using the oxygen reserve index in dogs. BMC Vet Res 2023 Nov 18;19(1):241.
Use Nutrition Calculator
Check if your horse's diet meets their nutrition requirements with our easy-to-use tool Check your horse's diet with our easy-to-use tool
Talk to a Nutritionist
Discuss your horse's feeding plan with our experts over a free phone consultation Discuss your horse's diet over a phone consultation
Submit Diet Evaluation
Get a customized feeding plan for your horse formulated by our equine nutritionists Get a custom feeding plan formulated by our nutritionists
