Exposure to hypoxia alters many aspects of endothelial cell metabolism and function; however, changes in surface glycoconjugates under these conditions have not been extensively evaluated. In the current studies, we examined surface glycoproteins of cultured bovine aortic (BAEC) and pulmonary arterial (BPAEC) endothelial cells under standard culture conditions (21% oxygen) and following exposure to hypoxia (0% oxygen) for varying time periods (30 min to 18 h) using a system of biotinylation, lectin binding (concanavalin A, Con A; Griffonia simplicifolia, GSA; Arachis hypogaea, PNA; Ricinus communis, RCA; or Triticum vulgaris, WGA), subsequent strep-avidin binding, and staining. Using these methods, we identified differences in lectin binding between the two cell types cultured in 21% oxygen with all lectins except PNA. With exposure to 0% oxygen, there was no change in lectin binding to most surface glycoproteins. Several surface glycoproteins, including glycoprotein IIIa on both cell types, demonstrated a time-dependent decrease in lectin binding; in addition, there was an increase in lectin binding to a few specific surface glycoproteins on each cell type within 30-60 min of exposure to 0% oxygen. These changes in specific surface glycoproteins were confirmed in both cell types by 125I labeling. Increased lectin binding was observed for Con A binding BAEC glycoproteins at molecular weight (MW) 116, 130, and 205 kDa, GSA binding BAEC glycoproteins at MW 120 and 205 kDa, and RCA binding BPAEC glycoproteins at MW 140 and 205 kDa. Increased binding of WGA or PNA was not observed during exposure to hypoxia. The specificity of lectin binding was further confirmed by competitive inhibition with the appropriate sugar. These studies demonstrate that there are baseline differences between BAEC and BPAEC cell surface glycoproteins and that exposure to hypoxia is associated with little change in lectin binding to most surface glycoproteins. There is, however, increased surface expression of a few glycoproteins that differ depending of the origin of the endothelial cell. Although the mechanism of this increase in lectin binding is not yet clear, subsequent studies suggested that it is due to increased availability of select carbohydrate moieties. The time course of these alterations suggests a possible role in the endothelial cell response to decreases in ambient oxygen tension.