Possible role of retrotrapezoid nucleus and parapyramidal area in the respiratory response to anoxia: an in vitro study in neonatal rat.

The brainstem-spinal cord preparation from neonatal rat has been used in several reports to evaluate the central effect of low oxygen level on the respiratory network. We demonstrate that bilateral lesion of retrotrapezoid nucleus and parapyramidal area unmasks an early reinforcement of the respiratory output in response to anoxia. This suggests that neurons in both areas might trigger or relay a central depressive influence of hypoxia on the respiratory network.