Effect of sleep on CO2 stimulation of breathing in acute and chronic hypoxia

Abstract

The effect of sleep on the respiratory response to graded increases in CO2 was studied in four adult male, sea-level residents during hypoxia at sea level, during 23 days at 14,250 ft. and after return to sea level. One subject was also studied at sea level breathing CO₂ mixtures with alternating high and low O₂. Hypoxia had no apparent effect on the change in respiratory response to CO₂ associated with sleep under any of the conditions studied, but it shifted the curve relating respiratory minute volume to alveolar CO₂ tension about 1 mm Hg to the left awake and during sleep. It was concluded that sleep and hypoxia act independently rather than interacting in their effect on the respiratory response to CO₂. Submitted on June 6, 1960