Respiratory and circulatory effects of breathing 100 oxygen in the new-born lamb before and after denervation of the carotid chemoreceptors

摘要

1. Methods are described for measuring tidal volume and frequency, end-tidal CO2, blood pressure and heart rate, and arterial gas tensions in the unanaesthetized new-born lamb.2. The resting values of minute ventilation (V̇)/kg body wt. and arterial oxygen and carbon dioxide tension, (Pa, o2) and (Pa, CO2) were similar to those which have been reported in the new-born baby. There was a direct and significant relation between Pa, o2 and Pa, CO2 and the age of the lamb.3. Thirty-five unanaesthetized lambs aged 40 min to 10 days breathed 100% oxygen; minute ventilation fell by an average of 19% of control, end-tidal CO2 increased and the ratio of change in tidal volume (ΔVT) to change in pressure (ΔP) (ΔVT/ΔP) remained constant. In a proportion of lambs, a small decrease in blood pressure and heart rate was observed. The effect of breathing 100% O2 on lung compliance was variable.4. These changes in ventilation were virtually abolished after both sinus nerves had been cut.5. The results therefore suggest that a significant hypoxic drive to ventilation exists in the new-born lamb and that this drive is mediated by functioning and mature peripheral chemoreceptors.6. Preliminary evidence suggested that, on 100% O2, the sensitivity of new-born lambs to inhaled CO2 was reduced.