High-Altitude Erythrocytosis: Mechanisms of Adaptive and Maladaptive Responses

This is the authors' abstract. We don't add key points for this paper.

Erythrocytosis, or increased production of red blood cells, is one of the most well-documented physiological traits that varies within and among in high-altitude populations. Although a modest increase in blood O 2 -carrying capacity may be beneficial for life in highland environments, erythrocytosis can also become excessive and lead to maladaptive syndromes such as chronic mountain sickness (CMS).