AGE AND SEX DIFFERENCES IN THE CLEARANCE OF INTRAVENOUSLY INJECTED COLLOIDAL CARBON FROM PERIPHERAL BLOOD IN RATS

Abstract

Age and sex differences of carbon clearance from the peripheral blood of the rat were investigated. The clearance of carbon was more rapid in the young rats than in the old. Sex difference was significant in the rats of 10 and 14 weeks old, but not significant in the rats of 3 weeks old. Liver blood flow, extraction rate of carbon by the liver and whole circulating blood volume may be the factors involved in the sex and age differences of the blood clearance of carbon.