Acid-base balance and oxygen-binding hemoglobin properties in mixed venous blood have been studied in 25 mongrel rabbits with acute environmental hyperthermia. As oxygen-hemoglobin affinity at standard pH, pCO2 and temperature increases, the effect of heat on oxygen-hemoglobin interaction is considerably attenuated. The Bohr effect increases. The mechanisms of changes in oxygen-binding properties of hemoglobin and their role in development of oxygen deficiency are discussed.