observed. Left epididymis weight was significantly higher with Black Maca (0.54±0.01 g,
mean±SEM) than with Yellow (0.44±0.02 g), Red (0.42±0.02 g) Maca or Control rats (0.46±0.02
g) (P<0.01). Length of stage VIII of the spermatogenic cycle (spermiation) was significantly
higher with Black Maca (4.62±0.35 mean ± SEM) and yellow Maca (3.99±0.16) than with Red
Maca (3.19±0.19) or control (2.95±0.19). Epididymal sperm motility was significantly higher
with Black Maca (54.71±3.13%; P<0.05) than with the other treatments or control (45.19±3.51;
40.20±5.57; 38.31±5.25%, for Yellow Maca, Red Maca or Control). Epididymal sperm count was
significantly higher in rats treated with Black Maca (132.64±6.68 x106 sperm) than with other
treatments or control. Yellow Maca also produced higher sperm count than control. Red Maca
showed similar sperm count as control. Comparing data from rats with Black Maca with Yellow
Maca, rats treated with Black Maca showed higher values of caput/corpus sperm count than rats
treated with Yellow Maca (59.35±3.25 x 106 and 46.04±2.38 x 106 sperm respectively; P<0.01).
In conclusion, varieties of Maca have different effects on reproductive function of male rats. The
better effects were observed with Black Maca
58.
HEMATOCRIT IN WOMEN AT HIGH ALTITUDE AND RELATIONSHIP TO SEX
HORMONES. Gustavo F. Gonzales
1
. Instituto de Investigaciones de la Altura and Department of
Biological and Physiological Sciences, U
1
.
The present study was designed to determine hematocrit levels in women living at 4340 m
altitude and relate these values to pulse oxygen saturation and sex hormone levels. We studied 56
women from Lima (150 m) and 179 women from Cerro de Pasco (4340 m) aged 20 to 70 years
old. Height, weight, pulse oxygen saturation, dehydroepiandrosterone sulphate (DHEAS)
testosterone, estradiol and hematocrit were measured in all women. Body mass index, and
testosterone/estradiol ratio were calculated from data. Hematocrit increased with age at high
altitude but not at sea level. Hematocrit values increased from 45.62 ± 6.45 (mean±SD) at 20-39
years to 53.28±6.35% at 60-70 years of age (P<0.0001). Excessive erythrocytosis
(Hematocrit56%) also increased with age from 2.46% at 20-39 years to 44.44% at 60-70 years of
age. High hematocrit at high altitude was associated with low pulse oxygen saturation
(P<0.0001), low estradiol levels (P<0.0003) and low T/E2 ratio (P<0.01). Multiple regression
analysis showed that low pulse oxygen saturation and high T/E2 ratio were independently
associated with high hematocrit (P<0.001). In conclusion, hematocrit increases with age at high
altitude in the Central Andes of Peru. Low pulse oxygen saturation and high serum
testosterone/estradiol ratio explain this increment.
59.
EFFECTS OF HYPOXIA ON RENAL TUBULAR FUNCTIONS. Bai Guang-Hui
1
, Luo Pen-Li
1
,
Ba Ying-Gui
1
, Xie Yu-Xian
1
, Chen Bi-Qing
1
, Du Wen-Jun
1
. The Affiliated Hospital of Qinghai
Medical College, Xining;Qinghai
1
.
The aim of this study was to understand the effects of hypoxia on renal tubular function at
altitudes of 2260m, 3719m and 4300m and to better understand how to protect the kidneys of
healthy adults at high altitude. Methods: _1 -microglobulin (_1-MG), _2 microglobulin(_2-MG),
Retinol Binding Protein (RBP),N-acetyl-_-D-glucosaminidase ( NAG) and Urine Protein-1 (UP-1
) were tested in urine of healthy adults at altitudes of 2260 m (group A), 3719m (group B) and
4300m (group C) respectively along with analysis of the subjects' hemoglobin from the three
groups. Results: According to statistical analysis, there was no significant correlation between the
levels of _1-MG, _2-MG, RBP, NAG and UP1 of groups A, B and C, With an increase in
altitude, the urinary enzymes increased and showed a significant positive correlation with
hemoglobin levels. Conclusion: The kidney is vital to maintaining homeostasis and is sensitive to
hypoxia. Hypoxia can lead to a decrease of kidney plasma flow, because the improvement of
function of renal glomerulus and enhancement of renal glomerulus filter capacity. Meanwhile,
absorption, secretion and excretion of the renal tubules are affected by hypoxia.
