Role of VCO2 in control of breathing of awake exercising dogs.

Steady-state ventilatory responses to CO2 inhalation, intravenous CO2 loading (loading), and intravenous CO2 unloading (unloading) were measured in chronic awake dogs while they exercised on an air-conditioned treadmill at 3 mph and 0% grade. End-tidal PO2 was maintained at control levels by manipulation of inspired gas. Responses obtained in three dogs demonstrated that the response to CO2 loading [average increase in CO2 output (Vco2) of 216 ml/min or 35%] was a hypercapnic hyperpnea in every instance. Also, the response to CO2 unloading [average decrease in Vco2 of 90 ml/min or 15% decrease] was a hypocapnic hypopnea in every case. Also, the analysis of the data by directional statistics indicates that there was no difference in the slopes of the responses (change in expiratory ventilation divided by change in arterial Pco2) for loading, unloading, and inhalation. These results indicate that the increased CO2 flow to the lung that occurs in exercise does not provide a direct signal to the respiratory controller that accounts for the exercise hyperpnea. Therefore, other mechanisms must be important in the regulation of ventilation during exercise.