Changes in Carbon Dioxide Stores of Rats Due to Atmospheres Low in Oxygen or High in Carbon Dioxide

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Abstract
26 rats were acclimatized to 10% O2 in N2 for 10-31 days and 20 rats to 10% CO2 in air for 6-28 days. Analyses were made at intervals for CO2 in muscle, bone, blood and the whole body as well as hematocrit and blood O2 capacity. Results were compared with similar analyses in pair-fed controls. On the avg. a 200-g. rat lost 68 cc. of CO2 on acclimatization to 10% O2 and gained an equal amt. of CO2 on acclimatization to 10% CO2. Of this amt. 55 cc. came from the skeleton in low O2 while 21.7 cc. were gained by the skeleton in high CO2. The skeleton normally contains 83.5% of the total 319 cc. contained in a 200-g. rat. Bones lost 11% of their normal CO2 in 10% O2 and gained 7% in 10% CO2. During acclimatization to 10% O2 bones lost 6 m.Eq. of PO4 and 1 m.Eq. of HCO3 for every 8 m.Eq. of Ca. In 10% CO2 there was a gain in CO2 in the bones, but no change in Ca or PO4. Acute exposure to 7% O2 for 5-6 hrs. did not cause any measurable changes in the bone CO2, but over longer periods the skeleton represents an important storage depot for CO2. Rats 67-93 days old contain 1.34 [plus or minus] 0.06 cc. of CO2/g. of body wt. Older rats (121-138 days) contain more (1.85 [plus or minus] 0.07) chiefly due to increasing CO2 in the bones.

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