Excessive erythrocytosis does not elevate capillary oxygen delivery in subcutaneous mouse tissue

Objective: Acclimatization to reduced environmental oxygen includes erythropoietin-regulated increase ill erythrocytes enhancing the blood's oxygen content. However, increased hematocrit: levels result ill elevated blood viscosity that: alight impair microcirculation and tissue oxygenation. To assess this oxygen supply to the skill, the authors used erythropoietin overexpressing transgenic mice (tg6) that: develop excessive erythrocytosis ill an oxygen-independent manner. These animals have been previously reported to elevate their blood viscosity 4-fold.