Role of carotid sinus and aortic nerves in respiratory control of infant rats.

Abstract

The roles of carotid sinus (CSN) and aortic depressor nerves (ADN) in the maintenance of rhythmic respiration and in the response to airway occlusion were investigated in 8- to 10-day-old infant rats. Cutting the CSN led to a periodic loss of rhythmic respiration with arrhythmic low-amplitude waveforms, frequent end-expiratory pauses, and occasional apneas observed in unanesthetized unrestrained pups studied in their home cage nests by impedance pneumography. Cutting the ADN alone did not have this effect. Sinoaortic denervation (SAD) in which both nerves were cut, produced a more severe disturbance that was not relieved by tracheostomy, indicating that it was not due to upper airway obstruction. Tracheal pressure recordings from anesthetized SAD infants in response to short periods of external airway obstruction showed reduced respiratory efforts and prolonged recovery times, deficits that may play a role in the mortality previously reported after SAD in infant rats.

• Authors: M A Hofer
• Journal: The American journal of physiology (Am J Physiol) Vol. 251 Issue 4 Pt 2 Pg. R811-7 (Oct 1986) ISSN: 0002-9513 [Print] United States
• PMID: 3766782 (Publication Type: Journal Article, Research Support, U.S. Gov't, P.H.S.)

Topics

• Airway Obstruction (physiopathology)
• Animals
• Animals, Newborn (physiology)
• Aorta (innervation)
• Carotid Sinus (physiology)
• Denervation
• Nervous System Physiological Phenomena
• Rats
• Rats, Inbred Strains
• Respiration Disorders (surgery)
• Respiratory Physiological Phenomena
• Tracheotomy