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Effects of growth, diving history, and high altitude on blood oxygen capacity in harbor sealsBlood volume and body composition for diving and nondiving harbor seals were measured at six-week intervals during a 10-month period of captitivity. Whole body hematocrit, red cell volume per kg of lean body mass, and total circulating hemoglobin per kg lean body mass were significantly higher in the diving group, but relatively large blood volumes expressed in terms of body weight (11-12%) were found in both groups. A pair of harbor seals exposed to high altitude for about three months registered significant increases in red cell volume, blood hemoglobin levels, and blood volume expressed in terms of body weight; results of alveolar gas analyses indicate that hyperventilation also occurred. These typical mammalian responses to hypoxia suggest that the harbor seal's large blood volume and high hemoglobin content are an expression of phylogenetic control, and that in spite of its adaptability to apnea during its diving life, the animal cannot be considered preacclimatized to high altitude.
Document ID
19770058963
Acquisition Source
Legacy CDMS
Document Type
Reprint (Version printed in journal)
Authors
Kodama, A. M.
(California Univ. Berkeley, CA, United States)
Elsner, R.
(California Univ. Berkeley, CA, United States)
Pace, N.
(California, University Berkeley and La Jolla, Calif., United States)
Date Acquired
August 9, 2013
Publication Date
June 1, 1977
Publication Information
Publication: Journal of Applied Physiology: Respiratory
Subject Category
Life Sciences (General)
Accession Number
77A41815
Funding Number(s)
CONTRACT_GRANT: NGL-05-003-024
Distribution Limits
Public
Copyright
Other

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