Abstract
Upper airway pressure changes reflexly alter breathing pattern in adult rabbits (Mathew et al., Respir. Physiol. 49:223, 1982). Maturational effects of this reflex response was investigated in nine 1-14 day old and six 29-34 day old puppies anesthetized with chloralose-urethane and spontaneously breathing through a tracheostomy. Alterations in the breathing pattern occurred to a greater extent in the 1-14 day old puppies; collapsing pressure was more effective than distending pressure. In 1-14 day old puppies negative pressure caused apnea in 11.6% of the trials. When apnea did not occur a significant prolongation of expiratory (Te) and inspiratory (Ti) durations and a reduction in tidal volume (Vt) were found. In the 29-35 day old puppies apnea did not occur during any of the challenges and changes in Te, Ti and Vt were minimal. These results indicate the presence of strong inhibitory influences originating from the upper airway on respiration in the early stages of development. Since superior laryngeal afferents are known to mediate these reflex effects and laryngeal mechanoreceptors respond similarly to these stimuli in newborn and adult dogs (Sant'Ambrogio et al., and Fisher et al., The Physiologist 26:A-45 & A-39, 1983) the difference in reflex effects between the two age groups may be due to different integrative properties of the central nervous system during maturation. Supported by: March of Dimes #5-426, NIH HL-20122 and HL-01156.
Article PDF
Author information
Authors and Affiliations
Rights and permissions
About this article
Cite this article
Mathew, O., Fisher, J., Sant'Ambrogio, F. et al. APNEA INDUCED BY UPPER AIRWAY PRESSURE CHANGES DECREASES WITH MATURATION IN PUPPIES. Pediatr Res 18 (Suppl 4), 397 (1984). https://doi.org/10.1203/00006450-198404001-01825
Issue Date:
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1203/00006450-198404001-01825