A single pulmonary mechano-sensory unit possesses multiple encoders in rabbits.
Morphological studies have shown that axons of slowly adapting pulmonary stretch receptors (SARs) may supply more than one receptor structure. Thus, a single-unit of SARs may contain multiple encoders. We recorded SAR activities and searched for multiple receptive fields (MRFs) by probing the lung in anesthetized, open-chest and mechanically ventilated rabbits. One-third of SARs had clear MRFs. Selectively blocking fields with lidocaine, we found that each has its own encoder and discharge characteristics. Unit activity of SARs results from encoder interactions and undergoes significant integration before reaching the central nervous system.
Yu
Jerry
J
Departments of Medicine, and Physiology and Biophysics, University of Louisville, Louisville, KY 40292, USA. j0yu0001@gwise.louisville.edu
Zhang
Jingwen
J
D000200:Action Potentials / Q000187:drug effects / Q000502:physiology* / Q000528:radiation effects; D000399:Air Pressure; D000403:Airway Resistance / Q000187:drug effects / Q000528:radiation effects; D000779:Anesthetics, Local / Q000494:pharmacology; D000818:Animals; D004558:Electric Stimulation / Q000379:methods; D004594:Electrophysiology / Q000379:methods; D008012:Lidocaine / Q000494:pharmacology; D008168:Lung / Q000187:drug effects / Q000502:physiology*; D008465:Mechanoreceptors / Q000502:physiology*; D011661:Pulmonary Stretch Receptors / Q000502:physiology*; D011817:Rabbits; D012121:Respiration, Artificial; D014630:Vagus Nerve / Q000502:physiology
D000779:Anesthetics, Local; D008012:Lidocaine