Glucose-6-phosphate dehydrogenase activity in erythrocytes of experimental animals.

Guinea-pigs, rats, dogs, rabbits, monkeys, sheep, and goats were screened for G-6PD activity in erythrocytes by the methaemoglobin reduction test, the brilliant cresyl blue decolorization test, and the spectrophotometric determination of the NADPH generation rate. Guinea-pigs, rats, dogs, rabbits, and monkeys were found to have normal G-6PD activity in erythrocytes, whereas sheep and goats were profoundly deficient in this enzyme. There was no evidence of any haemolytic anaemia in sheep and goats at the time of study. The relative sensitivity of these tests is discussed.