Apparatus for the measurement of the oxygen uptake of rats subjected to hypobaric hypoxia

Objective: To construct an apparatus for the oxygen uptake measurement of rats exposed to hypobaric hypoxia at different si-mulated altitude.Methods: The capacity of this apparatus was about 0.01 m3.It included animal experimental cabin,reference cabin,altimeter,altitude vertical velocity indicator,pressure difference inductor and oxygen compensator,low scale manometer,soda lime and calcium chloride,small fan,thermometer,circulating water system and vacuum pump.The oxygen uptake of the rats at 6 000 m,4 000 m and 1 000 m simulated altitude was measured using this apparatus.Results: The oxygen uptake of the rats at 50 m,4 000 m and 6 000 m simulated altitude was(24.4±2.1)、(10.8±2.0)and(8.8±1.6) ml O2/(kg.min) respectively(x-±s,n=10).The oxygen uptake decreased as altitude increased.Conclusion: This apparatus can be used to measure the oxygen uptake of the rats at different simulated altitude.