Blood samples analysed for albumin to determine if the lack of this protein serum is common to the Notothenioid fish group

One species of Antarctic Notothenioid fish was found to lack the common blood protein serum albumin. It was investigated if this was common to all notothenioid fish. In addition, if this blood protein is missing, we investigated what compensates for the missing functions of serum albumin? Blood samples were collected from a number of trematomid fish (a sub-family of the notothenioid fish). The samples were analysed by electrophoresis for the presence of serum albumin.