Comparative aspects of the dynamics of breathing in newborn mammals

Static and dynamic properties of the respiratory system have been studied in anesthetized, tracheostomized newborns of six species, ranging in size from rats to piglets. Respiratory system compliance (Crs), total resistance of respiratory system (Rrs), and expiratory time constant (tau) have been measured in the paralyzed passively ventilated animals. Crs is found to be proportional to body weight (BW0.80) and Rrs to BW-0.75; tau is independent of body size, the shortest value being in kittens and guinea pigs and a value of about 0.14 s in the other species. Including the upper airway resistance, tau becomes approximately 0.22 s. This value is similar to the expiratory time of the fastest breathing species; therefore in the smallest species the high breathing rate can be regarded as a mechanism to raise end-expiratory level. On a few occasions, dynamic lung compliance and pulmonary resistance, measured in spontaneously breathing kittens, puppies, and piglets were, respectively, smaller and larger than Crs and Rrs, suggesting that the hysteresis of the pressure-volume curve may be substantial. Rrs was almost linear within the volume and flow range investigated, with the Rohrer's constant K2 always being less than 2.5% of K1. The Reynolds number increases with body size (alpha BW0.51) more than is predictable from the changes in tracheal diameter, since the tracheal flow velocity is not an interspecific constant.