Effects of atropine in ponies with recurrent airway obstruction

The effects of atropine on lung function and airway reactivity in two groups of ponies were measured. Principal ponies had a history of recurrent airway obstruction when housed in a barn and fed hay; control ponies had no history of airway obstruction. Principal and control ponies were paired, and measurements were made when principal ponies were in clinical remission (period A) and during an acute attack of airway obstruction (period B). Atropine did not alter pulmonary resistance (RL), dynamic compliance (Cdyn), or airway responsiveness in either group of ponies at period A or in the controls at period B. In principal ponies at period B, atropine did not alter Cdyn or the concentration of aerosol histamine required to decrease Cdyn to 65% of base line (ED65Cdyn) but reduced RL and the change in RL induced by 0.1 mg/ml histamine (delta RL0.1). It is likely that the latter observation was due to geometric changes in the airways, because the change in RL and in delta RL0.1 were significantly correlated. The results of this study show little resting bronchomotor tone in normal ponies, but a major portion of the increase in RL in principals at period B is mediated via muscarinic receptors. Little evidence exists for muscarinic receptor involvement in the response to aerosol histamine in either principal or control ponies.