Arterial blood gases and acid-base status in awake rats

Arterial blood gases and acid-base balance were measured in adult rats using a cannula implanted in the aortic arch. These measurements were performed both in awake, unrestrained animals and in animals submitted to various circumstances i.e. (a) different diet: high and low sodium chloride intake, (b) anesthesia by pentobarbital or inactine and, (c) repeated blood sampling with concomitant replacement with the same volume of blood. For each group investigated the [HCO3 -]a vs. PaCO2, [H+] vs. PaCO2, PaCO2 vs. PaO2 relationships were determined. The values obtained (m +/- SD) from awake, unrestrained adult rats were respectively 7.47 +/- 0.02 for arterial pH, 34.5 +/- 3.0 Torr for PaCO2 and 90 +/- 5.5 Torr for PaO2; the calculated [HCO3 -]a concentration was 25.5 +/- 1.5 mmol . 1-1. The present results indicate that plasma bicarbonate concentration, within normal range, highly depends on the prevailing resting level of PaCO2 (n = 202; r = 0.82; P less than 10(-3)). In addition, the PaCO2 versus PaO2 relationship was highly statistically significant (n = 202; r = -0.43; P less than 10(-3). In the other experimental groups of rats, these relationships were virtually the same as above although mean values (+/- SD) for PaCO2, PaO2, pHa and [HCO3 -]a might vary with the group investigated. The mean value for whole pHi, obtained by the DMO method, reached 6.81 for pHa = 7.47 and was not correlated to PaCO2 level in normal conditions. The present data argue for the existence of a respiratory component mediating individual acid-base variations in a normal population of rats. Arterial carbon dioxide partial pressure, by determining bicarbonate ions reabsorption rate, would ensure pH regulation under normal circumstances.