Ventilatory phase duration in the chicken: role of mechanical and CO2 feedback

Awake upright White Leghorn roosters (Gallus domesticus) were unidirectionally ventilated. Electromyographic activity from inspiratory and expiratory muscles was recorded to demarcate inspiration and expiration. During inspiration, the rate of inflation of the air sac system was varied while the CO2 concentration of the gas passing through the lungs was maintained constant. Inspiratory duration was inversely related to the rate of inflation, producing an inspiratory volume-time threshold (VT) curve with a negative slope. When the CO2 concentration was increased in the lungs, the inspiratory VT curve shifted to the right with a concurrent increase in slope. If the rate of deflation was varied during expiration, it was found that expiratory duration was inversely related to the rate of deflation, producing an expiratory VT curve with a positive slope. Increasing the CO2 concentration shifted the curve to the left with an increased slope. These results indicate that inspiratory and expiratory phase durations are a function of both mechanical and chemical feedback.