Electromyographic Studies of the Effects of Bodily Position and Anesthesia on the Activity of the Respiratory Muscles of the Domestic Cock

Abstract

ACTIONS of the respiratory muscles in the bird have been deduced from anatomical descriptions (Sibson, 1846; Baer, 1896; Babák, 1921; Zimmer, 1935). However, electromyography, as a tool for the investigation of the action of these muscles, has only recently been utilized (Burkart and Bucher, 1961; Kadono et al., 1963). The following experiments were performed to provide more information concerning the physiology of the respiratory muscles of the bird. The specific inquiries include: correlation of integrated and direct action potential recordings of the electrical activity of the respiratory muscles; effect of anesthesia on the electrical activity of the respiratory muscles; effects of position on the electrical activity of the respiratory muscles; and correlation of the time of onset and time of cessation of the electrical activity and the vertical movement of the sternum. Single Comb White Leghorn cocks, 16 to 20 weeks of age, which had been reared under…