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Chronic hypoxia and chemodectomas in bovines at high altitudes
Archives of Pathology & Laboratory Medicine
|December 1, 1976
Summary
High altitude exposure causes significant chief cell hyperplasia in bovine carotid bodies, leading to larger organs and a 40% incidence of chemodectomas. This suggests environmental factors can trigger neoplasia.
Area of Science:
- Physiology
- Environmental Medicine
- Pathology
Background:
- Carotid bodies are crucial chemoreceptors monitoring blood oxygen levels.
- High altitude environments present chronic hypoxia, a significant environmental stressor.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the impact of high altitude on bovine carotid body morphology.
- To determine if chronic hypoxia induces hyperplasia and neoplasia in carotid body chief cells.
Main Methods:
- Comparative analysis of carotid body size and weight from bovine populations at high altitude versus sea level.
- Histopathological examination to assess chief cell hyperplasia and tumor formation.
Main Results:
- Bovine carotid bodies at high altitude were significantly larger and heavier than those at sea level (P < .001).
- 40% of high-altitude animals exhibited hyperplastic changes progressing to chemodectomas.
Conclusions:
- Chronic exposure to low atmospheric PO2 at high altitudes induces significant chief cell hyperplasia in bovine carotid bodies.
- This hyperplasia can progress to chemodectomas, suggesting environmental factors can initiate neoplasia through pharmacological action on target tissues.