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Postganglionic sympathetic discharge in neonatal swine
A L Sica1, B W Hundley, P M Gootman
1Department of Pediatrics, Clinical Campus of the Albert Einstein College of Medicine, New Hyde Park, New York 11042, USA.
Pediatric Research
|January 1, 1996
Summary
Cardiac and respiratory activity modulate peroneal nerve function in piglets. This modulation shows age-related changes, with newborns exhibiting immature responses, suggesting developmental delays in neural network connections.
Area of Science:
- Neuroscience
- Developmental Biology
- Physiology
Background:
- Postganglionic peroneal activity is influenced by cardiac and respiratory systems.
- Understanding age-related changes in autonomic nervous system control is crucial for neonatal care.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the age-dependent relationship between cardiac, respiratory, and peroneal nerve activity.
- To explore the impact of hypoxia on these neural pathways in developing piglets.
Main Methods:
- Simultaneous recordings of phrenic and peroneal nerve discharges in anesthetized piglets.
- Hyperoxia and hypoxia (FiO2 1.0 and 0.1) exposure.
- Spectral and coherence analyses of peroneal and aortic blood pressure signals.
Main Results:
- Cardiac-related peroneal activity and blood pressure were correlated, indicating baroreceptor entrainment, enhanced by hypoxia.
- Spontaneous respiration-related peroneal activity emerged after 20 days of age.
- Younger piglets (<20 days) showed hypoxia-induced peroneal discharges with immature biphasic patterns, unlike mature phrenic responses.
Conclusions:
- Baroreceptor entrainment is a robust mechanism for maintaining vasomotor tone even in neonates.
- A developmental lag exists in the integration of respiratory and sympathetic control networks.
- Age-related differences in peroneal nerve modulation highlight developmental aspects of autonomic control.