Related Experiment Videos
The peripheral-chemoreceptor threshold to carbon dioxide in man
1Department of Physiology, University of Toronto, Ontario, Canada.
The Journal of Physiology
|December 1, 1988
Summary
The peripheral chemoreceptor threshold for ventilatory response to carbon dioxide is around 39 mmHg, while the central chemoreceptor threshold is approximately 45 mmHg. Mild exercise did not alter these thresholds or peripheral chemoreceptor sensitivity.
Area of Science:
- Physiology
- Respiratory Control
- Chemoreception
Background:
- Peripheral and central chemoreceptors regulate ventilation in response to carbon dioxide.
- Understanding these thresholds is crucial for respiratory control research.
Purpose of the Study:
- To determine the ventilatory response thresholds to carbon dioxide mediated by peripheral and central chemoreceptors.
- To investigate the effect of mild exercise on these thresholds.
Main Methods:
- Utilized a modified Read rebreathing technique under mild hypoxic conditions.
- Adapted the method for exercise by incorporating abrupt treadmill exercise during rebreathing.
- Plotted ventilation against carbon dioxide levels to identify threshold break-points.
Main Results:
- Identified the peripheral chemoreceptor threshold at approximately 39 mmHg (5.2 kPa) and the central chemoreceptor threshold at approximately 45 mmHg (6.0 kPa).
- Found that mild exercise initiation did not alter the peripheral chemoreceptor threshold.
- Peripheral chemoreceptor sensitivity to carbon dioxide remained unchanged at the start of exercise.
Conclusions:
- Established specific thresholds for peripheral and central chemoreceptor-mediated ventilatory responses to carbon dioxide.
- Demonstrated that mild exercise does not acutely affect peripheral chemoreceptor-mediated responses to carbon dioxide.