The Breuer-Hering reflex at rest and during electrically induced locomotion in decerebrate cat

Abstract

Locomotion was induced by electric stimulation of the subthalamic and the mesencephalic locomotor regions. In six animals exhibiting coordinated locomotor movements, tracheal occlusion at various phases of expiration during rest and locomotion was performed. The intensity of the reflex was measured using the inhibition coefficient i = TE (occl)/TE (contr), where TE (occl) - denoted the expiratory time during tracheal occlusion, TE (contr) - the control expiratory time. Additionally, the slope of the linear relation ln i vs. transpulmonary pressure (PTp) during tracheal occlusion was determined. In all animals the Breuer-Hering reflex was attenuated during locomotion as compared to rest.