Hematologic Observations on the Yak

The uak has two hemoglobins sharing a common globin chain. Hb slow appears unique to the yak among the ruminants studied. It is not known if Hb slow is important in high altitude adaptation, but physilogic rather than hematolgoic adjustments may be more important agter acute blood loss, as 2,3-DPG remains nit and no disproportionate hemolgoin production occurs.