Temperature effects on pulmonary receptor responses to airway pressure and CO2 in Alligator mississippiensis

The effects of body temperature (Tb) on pulmonary stretch receptor (PSR) and CO2-sensitive intrapulmonary chemoreceptor (IPC) response characteristics may have important effects on ventilatory control in reptiles. In this study, three questions were addressed: (1) what are the effects of Tb on PSR and IPC responses to airway pressure (Paw) and lung CO2 (PCO2); (2) what are the effects of acute (less than 12 h) vs chronic (greater than 1 week) changes in Tb on both receptor groups; and (3) can predicted changes in the fractional dissociation of imidazole (alpha im), calculated via independent changes in Tb and PCO2, explain the CO2-sensitivity of either IPC or PSR? Single fiber PSR and IPC responses to Paw, PCO2 and Tb were determined in 11 anesthetized Alligator mississippiensis (pentobarbital; 30 mg/kg), acclimated at 20 degrees C (N = 5) or at 30 degrees C (N = 6). PSR activity increased as Paw increased at both Tb, but PSR activity and sensitivity to Paw were lower at 20 degrees C. The average Q10 was 2.1. Increasing inhaled CO2 from 1 to 7% decreased PSR activity by 27 +/- 6% at 20 degrees C and 18 +/- 5% at 30 degrees C. IPC activity decreased as PCO2 increased at both Tb, but IPC activity and sensitivity were reduced at 20 degrees C. The average Q10 was 3.2. Increasing Paw from 2 to 10 cm H2O had inconsistent effects on IPC activity. There were no differences between the effects of acute or chronic changes in Tb on either PSR or IPC responses. Predicted changes in alpha im could not explain the CO2-sensitivity of either IPC or PSR. We conclude that PSR and IPC adapt rapidly to Tb changes. The larger Q10 of IPC suggests that the relative role of IPC vs PSR in ventilatory control may be greater at elevated body temperatures.