Group I afferent fibers: effects on cardiorespiratory system

In anesthetized cats, we examined cardiorespiratory activity during excitation of large afferent fibers from muscle proprioceptors. We found that selective stimulation of group I fibers with electric impulses at 200-300 Hz induces an increase in pulmonary ventilation from control value (mean +/- SE) of 486 +/- 8 to a maximum of 544 +/- 8 ml/min and an increase in mean systemic arterial pressure from control value of 151 +/- 2 to a maximum of 160 +/- 2 mmHg. Neither of these increases was produced by the same stimulation when applied during anodal block of volleys of group I fibers. Hyperpnea could be obtained independently from changes in cardiovascular activity, and the pressor response could be obtained during artificial ventilation at constant tidal volume after curarization. Consequently, it appears that respiratory and cardiovascular responses to stimulation of group I fibers can be independent of each other.