[Chemoreceptor modulation of the respiratory reactions during muscle contractions in the cat]

Phasic contractions of the hindlimb muscles were induced in hypercapnia, hypoxia and hyperoxia. Absolute value of the lung ventilation and its kinetics depended on hypoxic and hypercapnic stimuli, reaching its maximum in their combination. Hypoxic stimulus decreased an increment of the lung ventilation and decelerated the latter's development. The interaction seems to be realized by neuronal mechanisms of dorsal respiratory nucleus. The latter is believed to play a major role in the mechanism of generation of central inspiratory activity based on respective chemoreceptor and proprioceptor afferent information.