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The Journal of Experimental Biology 204, 3141-3150 (2001)
© 2001 The Company of Biologists Limited

Review

The home team advantage: reproduction in women indigenous to high altitude

V. J. Vitzthum*

Department of Anthropology and Institute for Primary and Preventative Health Care, Binghamton University, SUNY, Binghamton, NY 13901, USA

*e-mail: vitzthum{at}binghamton.edu

Accepted June 28, 2001

Although there is substantial evidence that environmental conditions disrupt reproductive function among newcomers to hypoxic settings, it is not certain that low oxygen pressure reduces fertility among those indigenous to high altitude. Even when fertility does appear to be relatively lower, numerous behavioral and sociocultural factors may be responsible. These are best examined within demographic frameworks that delineate a finite list of the proximate determinants of fertility. The findings presented here are based on several studies of indigenous Andean populations (Peruvian Quechua at 4000m, Bolivian Quechua at 3100m, Bolivian Aymara at 4000m). Data on ovarian function suggest that neither progesterone levels nor menstrual cycle length or regularity are significantly different from those of women at lower altitudes. Data on two behavioral factors that determine fertility levels, coital frequency and infant feeding practices, suggest that the former is not likely to be of significance in co-habitating couples, but that variation in breastfeeding patterns has probably made a substantial contribution to differences in fertility among at least some populations at high altitude.

Key words: ovarian function, menstrual cycle length, coital frequency, breastfeeding, proximate determinants of fertility.


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© The Company of Biologists Ltd 2001