Alteration of oxygen consumption and energy metabolism during repetitive exposure of mice to hypoxia

Changes in oxygen consumption, body temperature and energy metabolism were studied while mice were repeatedly exposed to a sealed environment. The average tolerance limits of environmental oxygen level (vol%) and the average oxygen consumption rates (ml/g.min) were exponentially decreased and the average body rectal temperatures (degrees C) were linearly declined while the average tolerable times (min) to hypoxia were linearly increased as animals were repeatedly exposed to hypoxia for 5 runs. The average survival times (min) in sealed environments after administration of normal saline, iodoacetic acid, malonic acid, potassium cyanide, and potassium cyanide plus iodoacetic acid in group exposed repeatedly to hypoxia for three runs were, respectively, 3.1, 3.9, 1.4, 2.6, and 2.8 times those of the control groups that had corresponding administration of the different chemicals, but no exposure to hypoxia. The results indicate that progressive increase in hypoxia tolerance is related to progressively lower rate of oxygen consumption and heat production, and the lowered energy requirement during repetitive exposure to hypoxia is achieved mainly via pathways of the respiratory chain and glycolysis.