Effects of hypoxia and respiratory stimulants in conscious intact and carotid denervated cats
Gautier, H.; Bonora, M.
Bulletin Europeen de Physiopathologie Respiratoire 18(4): 565-582
1982
ISSN/ISBN: 0395-3890 PMID: 6126233 Document Number: 185505
In conscious intact and carotid denervated cats, the pattern of breathing and the ventilatory response to CO2 were studied in normoxia, hypoxia and during administration of respiratory stimulants (caffeine, doxapram and almitrine). Drugs or hypoxia affect the pattern of breathing in a particular manner depending on the nature of the stimulant. Carotid denervation is followed, in all cases, by modifications in the breathing pattern during hypoxia or drug administration. Hypoxia affects the pattern of breathing by central mechanisms; caffeine and doxapram have a potent central action. Almitrine may modify breathing by modalities other than carotid chemoreceptors. The carotid chemoreceptors play an important role in the control of respiratory activity of the conscious cat. They not only provide a drive for ventilation when they are stimulated by hypoxia, hypercapnia or drugs but they also influence the control of respiratory timing.