Hemoglobin concentration of pastoral nomads permanently resident at 4,850–5,450 meters in Tibet

Abstract

This paper presents data on the hemoglobin concentration of a sample of 103 pastoral nomads who are lifelong residents of Phala, at 4,850-5,450 m, on the northern plateau of the Tibet Autonomous Region of the Peoples' Republic of China. This native population resides at the highest altitude of which we are aware and is thus exposed to the most extreme chronic hypoxic stress. However, they do not exhibit the most pronounced physiological adaptations, i.e., hemoglobin concentrations exceeding those found in all other high-altitude populations. Adult male and female mean hemoglobin concentrations of 18.2 and 16.7 gm/dl, respectively, were found. These data, in conjunction with earlier studies of ethnic Tibetans living at 3,400 m, demonstrate a pattern of increasing hemoglobin concentration (erythrocytosis) at increasing altitude of residence in the Himalayas and Tibet. At the same time, however, the hemoglobin concentration is lower than that found among Andean highlanders. These new data raise the possibility of quantitative population differences in hematological adaptation to high altitude hypoxia.

Human high-altitude adaptation: forward genetics meets the HIF pathway

“…In contrast, the Tibetan hemoglobin phenotype differs from the ''classic'' Andean model of erythrocytosis, the latter of which is also seen in individuals of low-altitude ancestry living at high altitude. Tibetan hemoglobin concentration is relatively low, thus characterized as a blunted (low) erythropoietic response to hypoxia challenge (Adams and Strang 1975;Beall and Reichsman 1984;Beall and Goldstein 1987). However, it is important to note that above 4000 m, Tibetan hemoglobin concentration increases (Beall and Goldstein 1987).…”

“…Tibetan hemoglobin concentration is relatively low, thus characterized as a blunted (low) erythropoietic response to hypoxia challenge (Adams and Strang 1975;Beall and Reichsman 1984;Beall and Goldstein 1987). However, it is important to note that above 4000 m, Tibetan hemoglobin concentration increases (Beall and Goldstein 1987). Tibetans, on average, have 3.5 g/dL less hemoglobin than Andeans (Beall et al 1998).…”

Variation in hemoglobin concentration among samples of high‐altitude natives in the Andes and the Himalayas

“…However, surprising data ublished in the 1970s and ulations have hemoglobin concentrations lower than expected on the basis of the first decades of research after Viault. The new data were mostly from PO ulations in the glolin concentrations 1-2 gm/dl lower than their Andean counterparts (review in Beall et al, 1983;Beall et al, 1987). Accounting for this variation is currently a major question in the study of human adaptation to highaltitude hypoxia.…”

“…% ne deals with technical details of obtaining and analyzing blood samples: venipuncture vs. fin erstick and conventional laboratory vs. fie1 % techni ues (Winslow and Monge C, 1988: p %).%he other deals with the characteristics of the people in the samples: natural PO ulations vs. military draftees, traditional su ! sistence vs. urban, nonmining vs. mining occupations living on di H ferent continents is obvi-tions, rural vs. urban residence, millenia of high-altitude ancestry vs. a few hundred years vs. a generation or two, and ade uately nourished vs. iron deficient (e.g., Sallew et al, 1989;Frisancho, 1988;Beall et al, 1987;Haas et al, 1988). This paper reviews the available data on hemoglobin concentration at high altitude from the standpoint of evaluating ossible sources of variation that sons, particular1 factors that might propolycythemia in the Andean samples.…”

Gene expression profiling of high altitude polycythemia in Han Chinese migrating to the Qinghai-Tibetan plateau

“…Furthermore, the incidence of HAPC is significantly higher in migrants to a plateau than in the native population. The incidence of HAPC in males is also markedly higher than in females and is associated with work intensity (6)(7)(8)(9)(10).…”