Abstract
Duffin and McAvoy's (1988) modification of the Read (1967) CO2 rebreathing (CO2RB) method is widely used to study chemical control of breathing (ChemoCB). We used a CO2RB laboratory to challenge undergraduate science majors (to investigate the ChemoCB). We collated and analyzed 8 years of data to study the reproducibility of the laboratory and compared the results to the literature. Students (aged 19–21 yrs; IRB approval) performed the technique using a rebreathing bag containing 95% O2 to suppress peripheral chemoreceptor activity. Ventilation was measured following hyperventilation to deplete tissue CO2 stores, which also enhances detection of the central chemoreflex threshold (CCT). Data were analyzed by 3 investigators. Of 37 data sets, 7 were rejected due to technical issues. CO2 sensitivity and CCT were 4.69±3.12 L/min/mmHg (mean±SD) and 43.5±3.9 mmHg respectively. The CCT was normally distributed, whereas sensitivity was skewed to the left. Values agree well with those reported by Duffin & McAvoy (1988). We conclude CO2RB is a robust method for undergraduate investigation of the principles of chemical control of breathing. Funded by Queen's University, NSERC and CIHR.
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