Arterial PO2 and PCO2 stimulus threshold for carotid chemoreceptors and breathing.

The PaO2 and PaCO2 stimulus thresholds for activity of carotid chemoreceptors and for ventilation were investigated in twenty anesthetized adult cats at sea level. Over the range studied PaCO2 threshold for carotid chemoreceptors decreased with increasing intensity of hypoxia showing stimulus interaction. Once begun, the carotid chemoreceptor activity increased gradually at a rate that was inversely related to initial PaO2. The greater the initial hypoxia the greater was the carotid chemoreceptor activity at which the first inspiration occurred, apnea was shorter and inspiratory PaCO2 threshold lower. Hypoxia per se depressed the central mechanism for the resumption of inspiration. We conclude that (1) carotid chemoreceptor PaO2-PaCO2 stimulus thresholds are largely interdependent; (2) these receptors are activated at a lower PaO2-PaCO2 stimulus strength than ventilation is; (3) an increased input from peripheral chemoreceptors initiates breathing at a lower PaCO2 indicating that central chemoreceptor threshold is lower than the PCO2 threshold for inspiration; (4) a finite total input from the receptors is needed to start ventilation.