Abstract
Summary
Plasma erythropoietin levels in carotid body-ablated cats exposed to hypoxia (0.50 atm for 18 hr) 48 hr after removal of the carotid bodies were significantly higher than that of sham-operated controls exposed to the same degree of hypoxia. The mean plasma ESF levels in the carotid body-ablated group (1.29 ± 0.16 units/ml of plasma) were significantly (p < 0.05) higher than that of sham-operated controls (0.74 ± 0.11 units/ml of plasma). However, plasma ESF levels in cats exposed to hypoxia 2 wk after carotid body ablation or sham-operation were not significantly different. The present studies indicate that removal of the carotid bodies in cats enhances the erythropoietic response to hypoxia.
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