Ventilatory pattern and chemosensitivity in unanesthetized, hypothermic ground squirrels (Spermophilus lateralis)

The present study examined the effects of severe hypothermia in the absence of anesthesia on breathing pattern, ventilatory control and chemosensitivity in a cold tolerant species capable of seasonal hibernation. Hypothermia was induced in ground squirrels and ventilation and heart rate were recorded in animals breathing air at a body temperature (Tb) of 5 and 10 degrees C. The animals were then exposed to hypercapnic (2, 4 and 6% CO(2)) and hypoxic (12, 10, 8 and 4% O(2)) gas mixtures. We found that severe hypothermia in ground squirrels caused the breathing pattern to change from a continuous pattern to patterns that are commonly observed during hibernation. This suggests that temperature and metabolism alone are important factors in producing these patterns. The relative ventilatory sensitivity to hypercapnia was retained in the ground squirrel during hypothermia while ventilatory sensitivity to hypoxia was totally abolished. This is in contrast to hibernation where a small but significant hypoxic ventilatory response is present along with an enhanced relative response to hypercapnia. This suggests that changes in Tb alone can not account for the changes seen in ventilatory sensitivity during hibernation.