Effects of tricaine methane sulfonate on the blood of the toad, Bufo marinus marinus (L.)

The purpose of this thesis was to study the effects of MS222 (tricaine methane sulfonate) on the blood of the amphibian Bufo marinus. The ability of MS222 to convert hemoglobin into an altered form was demonstrated under in vitro conditions. Tricaine methane sulphonate altered hemoglobin progressively in the direction of a methemoglobin-like compound but at high concentrations* (10 mg/1 ml blood and above) a totally new compound was formed. In vivo studies suggested that Bufo marinus has the ability to concentrate MS222 in its body when being anaesthetized. The animal was found to have concentrations of 15 mg MS222/ml blood in its blood after being immersed in an anaesthetizing solution of 2 g of MS222 per litre of water. The animal possibly has the ability to reconvert the blood altered by the M8222 back to regular hemoglobin. * It must be understood through the duration of this thesis that the concentrations listed were added to a 20:1 dilution of blood and distilled water.