Localization of Vagal Afferents Involved in the Maintenance of Normal Avian Respiration

Abstract

THE study of neural control of respiration has proved to be a particularly intractable subject. Lambertsen (1961) has emphasized that even today only hypotheses exist concerning the control of respiration in some states, such as exercise. The genesis of cyclic respiratory activity lies within the medulla oblongata, as measured in goldfish (Adrian and Buytendijk, 1931) or carp and catfish (Hukuhara and Okada, 1956). The influence of afferent impulses carried by the vagus on the medullary respiratory pool of neurons is the controversial subject of many published works, particularly in mammals (Sharpey-Schafer, 1919; Hammouda and Wilson, 1932; and Huber, 1957). Bilateral, cervical vagotomy affects respiration in all tetrapods studied (see Nikolaides, 1910 for amphibian work; see Siefert, 1896 for reptilian work; see Zander, 1879; Couvreur, 1891; Nikolaides, 1914; and Sinha, 1958 for avian work). Vagotomy was once considered to have no effect on the respiration of Anurans since alteration in…