Distinct rhythm generators for inspiration and expiration in the juvenile rat

Inspiration and active expiration are commonly viewed as antagonistic phases of a unitary oscillator that generates respiratory rhythm. This view conflicts with observations we report here in juvenile rats, where by administration of fentanyl, a selective mu-opiate agonist, and induction of lung reflexes, we separately manipulated the frequency of inspirations and expirations. Moreover, completely transecting the brainstem at the caudal end of the facial nucleus abolished active expirations, while rhythmic inspirations continued. We hypothesize that inspiration and expiration are generated by coupled, anatomically separate rhythm generators, one generating active expiration located close to the facial nucleus in the region of the retrotrapezoid nucleus/parafacial respiratory group, the other generating inspiration located more caudally in the preBötzinger Complex.