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A Simple Approach to Manipulate Dissolved Oxygen for Animal Behavior Observations
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OXYGEN POISONING IN MAMMALS.
C A Binger1, J M Faulkner, R L Moore
1Hospital of The Rockefeller Institute for Medical Research.
The Journal of Experimental Medicine
|October 30, 2009
Summary
High concentrations of oxygen (>70%) are toxic to common laboratory animals, causing lung damage and respiratory distress. This toxicity is characterized by hemorrhagic edema and cellular changes, leading to death from oxygen deprivation.
Area of Science:
- Veterinary Pathology
- Toxicology
- Pulmonary Medicine
Background:
- Oxygen is essential for life, but high concentrations can be detrimental.
- Previous understanding of oxygen toxicity in animals was limited.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the toxic effects of high oxygen concentrations on laboratory animals.
- To characterize the pathological changes in the lungs resulting from oxygen toxicity.
Main Methods:
- Animals (dogs, rabbits, guinea pigs, mice) were exposed to oxygen concentrations over 70%.
- Clinical signs, gross pathology, and microscopic lung changes were documented.
- Autopsies were performed to identify causative agents.
Main Results:
- Oxygen concentrations above 70% induced toxicity, manifesting as drowsiness, anorexia, weight loss, dyspnea, cyanosis, and death.
- Pulmonary lesions included hemorrhagic edema, capillary engorgement, interstitial and intraalveolar serum, alveolar cell hypertrophy/desquamation, and mononuclear cell infiltration.
- No infectious organisms were recovered, ruling out an infectious etiology.
Conclusions:
- High oxygen concentrations cause significant lung damage (hemorrhagic edema) in laboratory animals.
- The observed lung pathology leads to respiratory failure and death due to oxygen want.
- Oxygen toxicity is not attributed to impurities, ventilation issues, or CO2 levels.
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