The effect of elevation on haematocrit in Ethiopian rodents

0531023 - ÚBO 2021 RIV CZ eng J - Článek v odborném periodiku
Lövy, M. - Lavrenchenko, L. A. - Kostin, D. S. - Martynov, A. A. - Šumbera, R. - Bryja, Josef - Okrouhlík, J.
The effect of elevation on haematocrit in Ethiopian rodents.
Journal of Vertebrate Biology. Roč. 69, č. 2 (2020), č. článku 20011. E-ISSN 2694-7684
Grant CEP: GA ČR(CZ) GA18-17398S
Institucionální podpora: RVO:68081766
Klíčová slova: Stenocephalemys * Rodentia * elevational gradient * Ethiopian highlands * blood parameters
Obor OECD: Zoology
Způsob publikování: Open access
https://bioone.org/journalArticle/Download?fullDOI=10.25225%2Fjvb.20011

Key adaptations enabling mammals to cope with oxygen deficiency at high elevations relate to oxygen transfer into the blood. Among others, the efficiency of this mechanism depends on haematocrit (Hct, the volumetric fraction of red blood cells in blood). Although blood of high-elevation mammals is usually characterised by normal or slightly increased Hct, there are contradictory findings from studies along different elevational gradients. The aim of this study was to explore variability of Hct at both inter- and intraspecific levels in six rodent species from lower and higher elevations of Choke Mountain in Ethiopia. We found that Stenocephalemys sp. A from higher elevation had higher Hct than its congener Stenocephalemys albipes from lower elevation and a similar but weaker tendency was observed intraspecifically in Lophuromys simensis. Furthermore, Hct among four species occupying the high-elevation Afroalpine zone was comparable, and higher than in animals from lower elevations. Higher Hct in the three Afroalpine specialists probably contributes to local adaptations for life in high elevation environments under hypobaric hypoxia.
Trvalý link: http://hdl.handle.net/11104/0309787