Respiration physiology
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Respiration physiology · Aug 1976
O2 transport in the alpaca (Lama pacos) at sea level and at 3,300 m.
Five male alpacas native to high altitude, of approximately 40 kg, were studied first at 3,300 m and again after a 3-month sojourn at sea level. Measurements were made with the animals standing, unsedated and breathing air. Cardiac output was measured by the dye dilution technique. ⋯ The values of PvO2 were lower than those reported for other mammals but similar to those of the llama. A higher PvO2 was measured in the alpacas at sea level. The alpaca under conditions of chronic hypoxia presents only minor cardiorespiratory adjustments suggesting the possibility of tissue characteristics well suited for life at high altitude.