Respiratory rhythm in the isolated central nervous system of newborn opossum

1. Respiratory activity was recorded from spinal ventral roots in the isolated intact central nervous system (CNS) of newborn opossum, Monodelphis domestica. These signals occurred in synchrony with movements of the ribs and the electromyogram (EMG) recorded from the intercostal muscles during inspiration. Rhythmical activity could be recorded for more than 6 h in acute preparations. 2. The rhythm-generating region was shown to be located in the lower brain stem by perfusing different CNS regions with medium containing 20 mmoll-1 Mg2+, which blocks synaptic transmission reversibly in the opossum CNS. The conclusion that respiration was generated by neurones in the lower brain stem was further confirmed by selective ablation of part of the CNS. 3. Recordings were made from 128 neurones in the respiratory region of the lower brain stem with activity related to the respiratory rhythm. They consisted of two inspiratory groups and two expiratory groups. In the groups of inspiratory units, recordings were made from 69 early inspiratory and 38 inspiratory units. In the groups of expiratory units, recordings were made from 17 post-inspiratory and 4 expiratory units. The sites of 22 respiratory neurones were marked in 4-day-old animals by injecting Pontamine Sky Blue. These neurones were distributed from 175 microns anterior to 525 microns posterior to the obex, from 225 to 450 microns lateral to the midline and from 175 to 425 microns deep to the ventral surface of the brain stem. 4. The respiratory rhythm recorded in the isolated CNS was influenced by pH and neurotransmitters. The respiratory rate decreased by about 26% at high pH (7.7) and increased by about 33% at low pH (7.1). Bath application of noradrenaline (30-100 mumol l-1) decreased the respiratory rate and increased the amplitude of the rhythmic bursts significantly. All these effects were reversible. 5. The results presented here indicate that the isolated intact CNS of newborn opossum offers advantages for exploring mechanisms responsible for generating the respiratory rhythm.