Age differences in the properties of viperous snake venom of the Volga river basin

Abstract

The Volga river basin is inhabited by two species of vipers: eastern steppe viper Vipera renardi and the common adder V. berus. The article provides information about the age differences of biochemical properties of viper’s snake venom. It also shows for each species that the protease activity in the snake venom of newborn vipers is significantly higher than in that of adults. All venom samples of the newborn eastern steppe vipers were colorless, with zero activity of L-amino acid oxidase. All venom samples of the newborn common adders were yellow in color, but in comparison with adults they have less active L-amino acid oxidase. Refs 11. Tables 3.