Breathing patterns and CO₂ production in adult spiny mice (Acomys cahirinus)

The spiny mouse (Acomys) is a precocial mammal with unique regenerative abilities. We used whole-body plethysmography to describe the breathing patterns and CO₂ production (VCO₂) of adult spiny mice (n = 10 male, 10 female) and C57BL/6 mice (n = 9 male, 11 female). During quiet breathing, female but not male spiny mice had lower tidal volumes and CO₂ production vs. C57BL/6 mice. During extended hypoxia (30 min), male and female spiny mice decreased VCO₂ and tidal volume to a greater degree than C57BL/6 mice. During an acute hypoxic-hypercapnic respiratory challenge (10% O₂, 7% CO₂), male and female spiny mice had blunted ventilatory responses as compared to C57BL/6 mice, primarily from a diminished increase in respiratory rate. These data establish a baseline for studies of respiratory physiology and neurobiology in spiny mice in the context of their remarkable regenerative capacity and their unique background of a desert dwelling species.