EFFECT OF HYPOBARIC HYPOXIA AND DIET ON BLOOD PARAMETERS AND PULMONARY HYPERTENSION-INDUCED RIGHT-VENTRICULAR HYPERTROPHY IN TURKEY POULTS AND DUCKLINGS

Turkey poults reared in a hypobaric chamber at an atmospheric pressure of 592 mmHg (calculated partial pressure of oxygen: 124 mmHg: calcula ted altitude and O2 equivalents: 2054 m and 16.3%) on a fast-growth di et developed polycythaemia and pulmonary hypertension as measured by r ight ventricle to total ventricle ratio. Poults reared in a hypobaric chamber on a slow-growth diet had less polycythaemia and did not have pulmonary hypertension. Control poults at atmospheric pressure, altitu de 295 m (calculated atmospheric pressure: 735 mmHg: partial pressure of oxygen: 154 mmHg, 20.26% O2), on a fast-growth diet had a slight, b ut not significant increase in some haematologic variables compared to the slow-growth atmospheric groups. Ducklings reared using the same e xperimental design did not develop pulmonary hypertension, although po lycythaemia was evident in the hypobaric conditions and was more promi nent in ducklings on the fast-growth diet.