Abstract
ABSTRACT: In 20 piglets aged 2–12 d (mean 6.8 d) and anesthetized with α-chloralose-urethane, we investigated the contribution of the peripheral and central chemoreceptors to the ventilatory response to inhalation of CO2 in air. For this purpose we used the dynamic end-tidal forcing technique, applying square-wave changes in end-tidal CO2 tension of 1.5–2.0 kPa at a constant end-tidal O2 tension of 15 kPa. Each response, measured on a breath-to-breath basis, was separated into a fast peripheral and a slow central component by fitting the sum of two exponentials to the measured ventilation. Each component was characterized by a CO2 sensitivity, a time constant, a time delay, and an apneic threshold. The results showed that in 2− to 12-d-old piglets the peripheral chemoreceptors are responsive to CO2 during air breathing. The contribution of the peripheral chemoreceptors in mediating the response to CO2 averaged 30 ± 10%. Within this age range we could not demonstrate a significant correlation of the parameters characterizing the dynamic ventilatory response to CO2 with postnatal age.
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Wolsink, J., Berkenbosch, A., DeGoede, J. et al. Ventilatory Sensitivities of Peripheral and Central Chemoreceptors of Young Piglets to Inhalation of CO2 in Air. Pediatr Res 30, 491–495 (1991). https://doi.org/10.1203/00006450-199111000-00018
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DOI: https://doi.org/10.1203/00006450-199111000-00018
