An invariant number of the respiratory system of mammals: newborn and adult.
From four empirical allometric equations concerning the dynamics of the respiratory functions of mammals, it has been possible to obtain an invariant and dimensionless number after applying Buckingham's pi-theorem. In the present study, this invariant number (IN(R)), whose origin was interspecies comparisons in mammals of different sizes, was assayed with the aim to compare in a quantitative manner the possible difference between newborn and adult mammals. The results were compared with the predicted values from two theories of biological similarity, one mass-dependent, valid for newborns, and the other, weight-dependent, valid for adult mammals. Finally, we utilized Stahl's residual mass exponents (RME) to test the validity of the empirical and theoretical approaches.
Günther
Bruno
B
Programa de Fisiopatología, Facultad de Ciencias Médicas, Universidad de Santiago de Chile, Santiago, Chile.
Morgado
Enrique
E
D000367:Age Factors; D000818:Animals; D000831:Animals, Newborn; D008322:Mammals; D008954:Models, Biological; D012143:Respiratory Physiological Phenomena; D012137:Respiratory System / Q000254:growth & development*