Comparison of Arteriolar Blood Flow in the Hamster Cheek Pouch at Two Different Oxygen Tensions

Red cell velocity and diameter were measured in arterioles of the hamster cheek pouch microvasculature. The cheek pouch tissue was exposed to two different oxygen tensions, PO2 less than 30 mmHg and PO2 greater than 150 mmHg. Blood flow was calculated from velocity and diameter measurements and was found to be significantly reduced (44%) when cheek pouch was exposed to room oxygen superfusant. This reduction was the combined result of a significant decrease in both diameter (17%) and red cell velocity (17%) as compared to the measurements during the initial low oxygen period.