title: Developmental and genetic components explain enhanced pulmonary volumes of female Peruvian Quechua.
abstract: High altitude natives have enlarged vital capacities and residual volumes (RV). Because pulmonary volumes are an indication of functionally relevant traits, such as diffusion capacity, the understanding of the factors (genetic/developmental) that influence lung volumes provides insight into the adaptive responses of highlanders. In order to test for the effect of growth and development at high altitude on lung volumes, we obtained forced vital capacities (FVC), RV, and total lung capacities (TLC) for a sample of 65 Peruvian females of mostly Quechua origins (18-34 years) who were sub-divided into two well-matched groups: 1) sea-level born and raised females (BSL, n = 34) from Lima, Peru (150 m), and 2) high-altitude born and raised females (BHA, n = 31) from Cerro de Pasco, Peru (4,338 m). To determine Quechua origins, Native American ancestry proportion (NAAP) for each individual was assessed using a panel of 70 ancestry informative markers. NAAP was similar between groups (BSL = 91.71%; BHA = 89.93%; P = 0.240), and the analysis confirmed predominantly Quechua origins. After adjusting for body size and NAAP, BHA females had significantly higher FVC (3.79 ± 0.06 l; P < 0.001), RV (0.98 ± 0.03 l; P < 0.001) and TLC (4.80 ± 0.07 l; P < 0.001) compared to BSL females (FVC = 3.33 ± 0.05 l; RV = 0.69 ± 0.03 l; TLC = 4.02 ± 0.06 l). NAAP was not associated with FVC (P = 0.352) or TLC (P = 0.506). However, NAAP was positively associated with RV (P = 0.004). In summary, results indicate that developmental exposure to high altitude in females constitutes an important factor for all lung volumes, whereas both genetic and developmental factors seem to be important for RV.
authors.affiliation: Department of Anthropology, University at Albany, SUNY, NY 12222, USA. mkiyamut@syr.edu
authors.forename: Melisa
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Kiyamu
authors.forename: Abigail
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Bigham
authors.forename: Esteban
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Parra
authors.forename: Fabiola
authors.initials: F
authors.lastname: León-Velarde
authors.forename: María
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Rivera-Chira
authors.forename: Tom D
authors.initials: TD
authors.lastname: Brutsaert
mesh_terms: D000220:Adaptation, Biological / Q000235:genetics / Q000502:physiology*; D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000531:Altitude; D000704:Analysis of Variance; D000885:Anthropology, Physical; D000886:Anthropometry; D005260:Female; D005819:Genetic Markers / Q000235:genetics; D006801:Humans; D007199:Indians, South American / Q000235:genetics*; D016014:Linear Models; D010568:Peru; D020641:Polymorphism, Single Nucleotide; D012129:Respiratory Function Tests; D014109:Total Lung Capacity / Q000235:genetics / Q000502:physiology*
chemical_list: D005819:Genetic Markers