Lung volume and pleural pressure in the anesthetized hamster

Lung volumes and respiratory pressures were measured in anesthetized male hamsters weighing an average 117 g. In 16 supine animals functional residual capacity (FRC) determined by body plethysmograph was 1.12 +/- 0.23 (SD) ml (about 20% total lung capacity, TLC) slightly and significantly larger than the FRC measured by saline displacement, 1.01 +/- 0.15 ml. Similar results were found in six prone animals. Paralysis did not significantly alter supine FRC. Contrary to published reports, pleural pressure (Ppl) estimated from esophageal pressure was negative at FRC. The fact that lung volume decreased by 0.2 ml (about 4% TLC) when the chest was opened at FRC provided additional evidence of negative Ppl at FRC. No consistent changes in the lung pressure-volume curve were found after the chest was opened. Deflation chest wall compliance just above FRC was about twice lung compliance. The vital capacity and reserve volumes in this study agreed with values reported in the literature. However, absolute lung volumes (TLC, FRC, and residual volume) were lower by about 1.4 ml, possibly because of earlier overestimates of box FRC.