Hemoglobin concentration and aerobic work capacity in women following induced erythrocythemia.

The effect of induced erythrocythemia on hemoglobin concentration ([Hb]) and aerobic work capacity was determined for nine women. Cycle tests were performed at prereinfusion (T1), 2 days after a placebo infusion (T2), 2 days postreinfusion of 334 ml of red blood cells (T3), 8 days postreinfusion (T4), and 14 days postreinfusion (T5). T1 and T2 responses did not differ, negating a placebo effect. [Hb] increased from 12.7 g X dl at T1 to 14.7 g X dl at T3 and then remained constant at T4 and T5. Hematocrit increased from 38.1% at T1 to 44.9% at T3 and then remained constant at T4 and T5. Submaximal O2 uptake (VO2) and stroke volume (SV) did not change from T1 through T5. Submaximal cardiac output (Q) and heart rate (HR) decreased from T1 to T3 and then remained constant at T4 and T5. Arteriovenous O2 difference increased from T1 to T3 and then remained constant at T4 and T5. Maximal VO2 was greater at T3 (2.65 l X min-1), T4 (2.66 l X min-1), and T5 (2.60 l X min-1) than at T1 (2.41 l X min-1). Physical work capacity was greater at T3 (10,740 kg X m), T4 (10,980 kg X m), and T5 (10,380 kg X m) than at T1 (8,747 kg X m). Maximal values for Q, HR, and SV were unchanged from T1 through T5. At maximum, arteriovenous O2 difference and Hb flow rate increased from T1 to T3 and then remained constant at T4 and T5. The greater postreinfusion [Hb] improved O2 transport capacity and appeared to regulate circulatory responses.