Galactose metabolism of mammalian erythrocytes

Galactose metabolism in the red cells shows marked interspecies and even intraspecies variations. Red cells of guinea pig, dog and a group of rabbits metabolize galactose to a higher extent than those of other species, including human. In the rabbit, the difference in red cell galactokinase activity could not be correlated to the overall utilization of this sugar in the body.