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Mortality after carotid body denervation in rats
1Department of Physiology, Medical College of Wisconsin and Zablocki Veterans Affairs Medical Center, Milwaukee, Wisconsin 53226-0509, USA.
Journal of Applied Physiology (Bethesda, Md. : 1985)
|August 18, 2001
Summary
Carotid body denervation (CBD) in newborn rats leads to higher mortality compared to other mammals due to immaturity. However, surviving rats show compensatory mechanisms in respiratory control.
Area of Science:
- Physiology
- Neuroscience
- Respiratory Control
Background:
- Carotid body denervation (CBD) has minimal effects in neonatal goats and piglets.
- This suggests redundancy in peripheral chemosensitivity and mature ventilatory systems in these species at birth.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate if CBD causes higher mortality in less mature species, specifically neonatal rats.
- To test the hypothesis that neonatal rats exhibit greater mortality after CBD.
Main Methods:
- Neonatal rats underwent carotid body denervation (CBD) at 2-3 and 7-8 days of age.
- Mortality rates, pulmonary ventilation during hypoxia and eupnea, weight gain, and apneas were assessed.
- Peripheral chemosensitivity recovery was evaluated using local NaCN injections.
Main Results:
- CBD resulted in significantly higher mortality in neonatal rats compared to sham-operated controls.
- Surviving rats showed reduced pulmonary ventilation during hypoxia and eupnea, along with apneas.
- Effects were compensated within 3 weeks, with evidence of aortic chemoreceptor involvement in recovery.
Conclusions:
- CBD has a greater impact on neonatal rats than other mammals due to their relative immaturity at birth.
- Surviving rats demonstrate plasticity and redundancy in respiratory control, allowing for eventual compensation.
- Peripheral chemosensitivity plays a crucial role in the compensatory mechanisms following CBD.