ROLE OF CO2 IN THE STRESS REACTION TO HYPOXIA

Abstract

Rats fasted 48 hours show a liver glycogen value of about 0.5%. If the animals are fasted 24 hrs. and exposed the subsequent 24 hrs. at 20,000 ft. simulated altitude, liver glycogen accumulates to a maximum of 3.6%. Rats fasted at 20,000 ft. in an atmosphere of CO2 above 30 mm. Hg show no liver glycogen accumulation. Liver glycogen accumulation at high altitude, therefore, is concluded to be more nearly related to loss of CO2, a result of hypoxic hyperventilation, than to hypoxia per se. A possible physiological sequence of events by which hypoxia produces liver glycogen accumulation is suggested.