Cardiorespiratory responses following isoproterenol injection in rabbits

Receptor sites for the ventilatory response to isoproterenol were investigated in anesthetized rabbits with bolus injections in the common carotid artery (ia) and in the vena cava (iv). The delay from injection to the increase in ventilation (TVE) was significantly shorter following ia (1.5 s) compared to iv injections (about 5 s). The delay to the increase in heart rate (THR) was significantly shorter after iv (about 4.5 s) than after ia injections (12.5 s). When isoproterenol and NaCN injections were compared, there was no difference in TVE. Following carotid body resection, the VE response to isoproterenol was greatly reduced after iv and ia injections; however, THR was unaffected. In intact animals breathing 100% O2 the VE response to isoproterenol was significantly reduced with no change in TVE or in the heart rate response. We conclude that the ventilatory increase following the injection of isoproterenol is due primarily to direct stimulation of the carotid bodies.