The effect of anemia on metabolic performance in the frog, Rana pipiens

Anemias were induced in Rana pipiens hemolytically and by repetitive bleedings. Maximal rates of oxygen consumption ( max) declined with anemia. The pattern of decline in max with anemia did not closely approximate theoretical predictions of systematic oxygen transport. Anemic frogs accumulated lactate faster than control frogs during exercise. The length of exercise time to fatigue (stamina) was positively correlated with both gastrocnemius and blood lactate concentrations, indicating that fatigue was not dependent on a threshold lactate concentration in muscle or blood. Anemic frogs had the same stamina as control frogs.