Synchrony between breathing and shivering in three muscles of bantam hens exposed to cold eggs

Unrestrained, incubating bantam hens (Gallus domesticus) were exposed to cold, water-perfused eggs to induce shivering. Mean rectified electromyogram (EMG activity) was recorded from the iliotibialis, gastrocnemius, and pectoralis muscles, together with breathing and O2 consumption. EMG activity in all three muscles varied in synchrony with breathing, as confirmed by spectral analysis. The highest shivering intensity occurred during end expiration. This synchrony was also present when respiratory frequency was increased by hypercapnic/hypoxic stimuli and tended to improve with increasing respiratory frequency and tidal volume. The absolute modulation of shivering intensity remained relatively constant with increasing average intensity, indicating that breathing-modulated motor units are activated first. In the less active pectoralis muscle, all activity was modulated. Modulation is probably not restricted to one type of muscle fiber because it occurs in both predominantly red hindquarter muscles and the white pectoralis muscle. It is tentatively suggested that respiratory drive-related influence from the brain stem has a synchronizing effect on spinal cord activity. A bursting activity pattern may be more favorable for muscle circulation than a tonic discharge pattern.