Abstract
BACKGROUND: Hypobaric hypoxia refers to a condition where there is a decreased oxygen partial pressure in the air due to low atmospheric pressure. It is known to affect the metabolism, leading to increased basal metabolic rate, alterations in appetite, and changes in cellular metabolism and energy homeostasis. The effects of hypoxia on metabolism and weight loss are influenced by genetic factors, gender, and the duration and severity of exposure to hypoxia. Currently, there are no reports which elucidate the impact of hypobaric hypoxia on female laboratory rats. OBJECTIVE: The aim of this study was to observe the effect of varying degrees and durations of hypobaric hypoxia on the body weight of female rats. MATERIALS AND METHODS: In this study, the body weight of 36 laboratory rats divided into six groups was taken at day 0, and then, the rats were exposed to hypobaric hypoxia in a specially designed hypoxia chamber and their body weights were recorded after 5 days and 10 days of hypoxia exposure. The change in body weight at 5 days and 10 days was compared to that of their body weight before the exposure to hypoxia. Data analysis was performed using IBM SPSS version 20. RESULTS: Body weight was reduced in all rats subjected to varying degrees and duration of hypoxia. The percentage change in body weight was higher in moderate and severe hypoxia than in the mild hypoxia group. No significant difference was observed in rats exposed to varying degrees of hypoxia for 5 days as compared to those exposed for 10 days. CONCLUSION: Hypoxia may cause a reduction in body weight of female rats proportionate to the increasing severity of hypoxia and this reduction remains independent of the duration of exposure to hypoxia.