Respiratory sinus arrhythmia in spontaneously breathing, unanesthetized newborn and adult Wistar rats
Related Experiment Video
Updated: Jul 6, 2025

Preparation of Rhythmically-active In Vitro Neonatal Rodent Brainstem-spinal Cord and Thin Slice
Published on: March 23, 2019
Nana Sato Hashizume1, Yoichiro Kitajima1, Ryoji Ide1
1Department of Physiology, The Nippon Dental University, School of Life Dentistry at Tokyo, 1-9-20 Fujimi, Chiyoda-ku, Tokyo 102-8159, Japan.
Abstract:
We examined respiratory sinus arrhythmia (RSA) and possible interaction with respiratory frequency (fR) and heart rate (HR) in spontaneously breathing, unanesthetized newborn Wistar rats (2- to 5-day-old; n = 54) and the adult rats (8-week-old; n = 34). Instantaneous heart rate (inst-HR) was calculated as the reciprocal of the inter-beat-interval. For each breath, RSA was determined as the difference between the maximum and minimum inst-HR value. The absolute RSA or RSA% (RSA per HR) were calculated as the average RSA of 10 consecutive breaths. RSA (or RSA%) in the newborn rats was significantly lower than that in the adult rats. Correlation coefficient between RSA (or RSA%) and 1/fR or HR/fR, but not HR, was significant in newborn rats, whereas only that between RSA (or RSA%) and HR was significant in adult rats. The power spectrum density of heartbeat fluctuation was detectable in both age groups. The present findings suggest that RSA exists and could be influenced by fR, rather than HR, in newborn rats.
More Related Videos
05:28Electrophysiology on Isolated Brainstem-spinal Cord Preparations from Newborn Rodents Allows Neural Respiratory Network Output Recording
Published on: November 19, 2015
09:13Method to Obtain Pattern of Breathing in Senescent Mice through Unrestrained Barometric Plethysmography
Published on: April 28, 2020
Related Concept Videos
Respiratory Volumes and Capacities I
Alterations in Respiration II
In Biot's breathing, the respiratory rate and depth are irregular, alternating between periods of deep gasping and apnea. Common causes...
Assessment of Ventilation I: Respiratory Rate
A Ventilation assessment is critical for monitoring a patient's health status. Respiration, one of the most accessible vital signs, provides insights into the function of numerous body systems and can indicate serious health issues, such as brainstem injuries from head trauma.
Critical Guidelines for Assessing Ventilation:
ECG Interpretation of Arrhythmias I: Sinus Arrhythmias
Types of Arrhythmias
Sinus Node Arrhythmias
Sinus Bradycardia: Originating from the sinoatrial (SA) node, sinus bradycardia involves slower impulses, resulting in a heart rate of less than 60 beats per minute (bpm). Causes include sleep, vagal stimulation, beta-blockers, hypothyroidism,...
Physiology of Respiration II: Neurogenic Control of Respiration
Central Control
The brainstem is the primary site of central control, hosting respiratory centers:
Neural Control of Respiration
Respiratory Centers in the Brainstem
Two primary areas comprise the respiratory center: the medullary respiratory center in the medulla oblongata and the pontine respiratory group in the pons. The...