Lack of Aquaporin 3 in bovine erythrocyte membranes correlates with low glycerol permeation

► We assessed water and glycerol permeability of human and bovine erythrocytes (RBC). ► We assessed AQP1 and AQP3 expression in RBCs. ► Water permeability was 1.5-fold larger in bRBC correlating with higher AQP1 expression. ► A three-order lower glycerol permeability points to different mechanisms of glycerol permeation in bRBC. ► Lack of AQP3 expression in bRBC membranes explains the low glycerol permeability found.