[Changes of erythrocyte criteria of the guinea pig under hypoxia].

In the present study the adequacy of erythrocytic criteria for the diagnosis of hypoxia has been investigated in animal experiments. Guinea pigs were exposed to a defined hypoxia (pO2 equals 48 mm Hg approximately equal to 9000 m height) for 24 and 72 hrs. With increasing duration of hypoxia there is observable a distinct rise in reticulocyte count, 59Fe incorporation and the proportion of erythroblasts in the bone marrow. Hematocrit and hemoglobin concentration have increased significantly after hypoxia compared with the control animals. The mean cellular hemoglobin content shows a marked fall with the duration of hypoxia. The density distribution curves show under hypoxia a shift to lower densities and, therefore, appear to be well suited for the diagnosis of hypoxic states. The activities of the erythrocytic enzymes, G-6-PD and GOT, are increased after 24 and 72 hrs of hypoxia. The GOT isoenzyme pattern is shifted with continued hypoxia in favour of the mitochondrial GOT. The changes of enzyme activities are not pronounced enough under hypoxic conditions to be used for diagnositc purposes.