Blood viscosity in chronically hypoxic rats: an effect independent of packed cell volume.

We compared apparent blood viscosity, measured with a cone-plate viscometer, in normoxic and chronically hypoxic rats. All comparisons were made at equal packed cell volume (PCV) and shear rate conditions. Apparent viscosity of whole blood from the hypoxic rats was significantly lower than that from normoxic littermates and was similar to that of young rats. Apparent viscosity of red cells from hypoxic rats suspended in phosphate buffered saline remained lower than that from the normoxic rats. When blood cells from the hypoxic rats were suspended in plasma from normoxic rats, apparent viscosity was lower than when blood cells from normoxic animals were suspended in plasma from hypoxic rats. The lower viscosity of the blood from hypoxic rats appears to be associated with characteristics present in newly generated red cells. The reduced apparent viscosity of blood in hypoxic rats may partially compensate for the increase in PCV, at least during the early stages of hypoxia.