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Inspiratory resistive load detection in conscious dogs
P W Davenport1, D J Dalziel, B Webb
1Department of Physiological Sciences, College of Veterinary Medicine, University of Florida, Gainesville 32610.
Journal of Applied Physiology (Bethesda, Md. : 1985)
|March 1, 1991
Summary
Researchers developed a novel animal model using dogs to study how the body detects mechanical loads during breathing. This breakthrough allows for investigating the sensory systems involved in respiratory load detection.
Area of Science:
- Physiology
- Respiratory Mechanics
- Sensory Neuroscience
Background:
- The physiological mechanisms underlying the detection of mechanical loads during breathing remain largely unknown.
- A significant barrier to this research has been the absence of a suitable animal model for studying load detection mechanisms.
Purpose of the Study:
- To establish and validate an animal model for investigating the sensory systems responsible for detecting inspiratory mechanical loads.
- To behaviorally condition dogs to detect and signal inspiratory occlusion and graded resistive loads.
Main Methods:
- American Foxhounds with tracheal stomata were trained to detect inspiratory occlusion and graded resistive loads.
- Dogs signaled load detection by lifting a paw off a lever.
- Detection thresholds for resistive loads were determined (delta R50).
Main Results:
- Dogs reliably responded to inspiratory occlusion within 1-2 breaths after conditioning.
- The 50% detection thresholds (delta R50) for resistive loads were 0.96 and 1.70 cmH2O.l-1.s.
- Breathing patterns and expired PCO2 were not significantly altered by near-threshold loads.
Conclusions:
- Dogs can be conditioned to reliably detect and signal graded inspiratory mechanical loads.
- The use of tracheal stomata excludes upper airway afferents, focusing the investigation on remaining sensory pathways.
- The specific afferents (vagal or respiratory muscle) responsible for load detection in this model require further investigation.