Muscle afferents and activity of respiratory neurons

Abstract

Respiratory effects of stimulating afferent fibers of muscle, skin and mixed nerve were determined in Nembutal-anesthetized cats. Repetitive stimuli which produced only monosynaptic reflex actions caused augmentation of respiration. When stronger stimuli also activated fibers of a smaller diameter than group I afferents, polysynaptic reflexes were evoked and greater changes in respiration resulted. Volume rather than rate changes were induced by stimulation of these muscle afferents. Microelectrodes were used to record from respiratory neurons of the medulla and pons. Most neurons fired in conjunction with inspiration; stimulation of muscle afferents advanced time of firing and increased frequency of discharge. Neurons firing in conjunction with expiration were inhibited by muscle afferents. A few neurons of the pons showed respiration-linked activity modified by afferent nerve stimulation. Segmental reflex discharges, out intercostal nerves, elicited by dorsal root stimulation were found to be inhibited by stimulation of muscle afferents. Discharges from muscle receptors affect ventilatory volumes and activities of medullary neurons which seemingly participate in the control of respiration.