Effects of Low and High Iron Supplementation on Hypoxic Rats

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Abstract
Rats on low and high Fe supplementation were exposed to 20,000 feet (simulated altitude) for 6 weeks and compared to like control groups. Percentage survival of the low and high Fe supplemented groups was the same. Red cell count increased in the altitude exposed groups but the low Fe group showed no increase in hemoglobin content. The hemoglobin increase in the high Fe group is not indispensible for survival. Myoglobin content of various tissues increased when exposed to chronic hypoxia. Tissue O2 utilization, as reflected in succinic dehydrogenase activity, increased significantly in the altitude groups.