[Distribution of carotenoids in the tissues of high altitude rodents]

Carotenoid distribution has been investigated in the organs of the ground squirrels Citellus suslicus and C. pygmaeus, as well as of the vole Microtus majori inhabiting high mountain regions. It was shown that with the increase of the altitude of habitat the level of carotenoids in the brain and liver increases in the ground squirrels, whereas the vole exhibits the increase of carotenoid content in the spleen, lungs and heart. It is suggested that carotenoids are involved in the intracellular accumulation of oxygen and the increase of their level is associated with adaptation of animals to hypoxic conditions.