Effect of polycythemia and chronic hypoxia on heart mass in the chicken.

Abstract

Polycythemia was induced in the domestic fowl by chronic hypoxia and androgen injections. In both groups a cardiac hypertrophy resulted which involved both ventricles and was correlated with the hematocrit. The hypertrophy of the right ventricle of the chronic hypoxia group was a result of somewhat different kinetics than that found in the androgen-treated birds. This indicated that in the chronic hypoxic state, although a significant hematocrit-heart hypertrophy effect was present, an environmental influence may also be a factor. The cardiac hypertrophy resulting from chronic hypoxia is reversible upon return of the birds to sea level.