Albumin, as a percent of total proteins in both the coelomic
serum and the blood serum, was determined for four groups of
developing Rana catesbeiana tadpoles by cellulose acetate electrophoresis.
Also, using Folin phenol reagent, the total protein of
each the blood serum of metamorphosing tadpoles and the coelomic
serum was determined, along with the coelomic fluid weights relative
to the total body weights of these tadpoles. Coelomic fluid cells were
identified and percentages for them calculated.
Blood protein levels (1.68±SE 0.01 g/100 ml) are significantly
higher than the coelomic fluid proteins (1.04±SE 0.01 g/100 ml) in
metamorphosing animals. The percentage of albumin of total protein
in the coelomic fluid (Group I, 18.3±2.3; II, 21.5±1.07; III, 22.7±0.68; IV, 31.3±1.25) is significantly higher than that in the blood (Group I, 18.3±2.30; II, 18.2±0.82; III, 20.1±0.82; IV, 27.7±1.16)
for the last three Developmental Groups (Gosner stages 32-46). Percentages
of albumin in the blood and in the coelomic fluid did not
appear to increase at p<0.05, except in the last Group (IV).
The coelomic fluid weight decreased during the last five metamorphic
stages both absolutely, and also relative to tadpole weight.
The majority of the coelomic cells identified were lymphocytes
(51-85%). Monocytes accounted for 3-14%, and eosinophiles, erythrocytes,
histiocytes, neutrophiles and thrombocytes combined,
accounted for 4-23%
