Proteolytic activity of common vipers venom from some populations in Russia and Ukraine

Here the results of determination of proteolytic activity (PA) in common viper Vipera berus venom samples received from different populations in European part of Russia and Ukraine are given. The maximum average of PA (28,0 μg of tyrosine / mg of protein·min) has been registered in Maynskiy district of Uljanovsk region, Russia; the minimum one (2,6) - in Zmievskiy district of Kharkov region, Ukraine. The reliable distinction of PA of venom samples - of yellow color (10,5 μg of tyrosine / mg of protein·minute) and of colorless (7,8) - has been statistically recognized in the same population (Kondolskiy district of Penza region, Russia). In most cases the colorless venom with low PA level has been gathered in populations defined as Nikolskiys viper V. b. nikolskii. It was supposed that PA level of venomous secret can be the additional diagnostic characteristic of V. b. berus and of V. b. nikolskii subspecies.