A broad diversity in oxygen affinity to haemoglobin

Oxygen affinity to haemoglobin is indicated by the p50 value (pO 2 at 50% O 2 Hb) and critically determines cellular oxygen availability. Although high Hb-O 2 affinity can cause tissue hypoxia under conditions of well O 2 saturated blood, individual differences in p50 are commonly not considered in clinical routine. Here, we investigated the diversity in Hb-O 2 affinity in the context of physiological relevance. Oxyhaemoglobin dissociation...