Field potential and single unit analyses of the avian dorsal motor nucleus of the vagus and criteria for identifying vagal cardiac cells of origin

Abstract

Field potentials evoked by mid-cervical vagal stimulation were systematically mapped in the dorsal motor and solitary nuclei of the pigeon. Since responses varied predictably with microelectrode position, they could be used for localization in the dorsal medulla. By varying stimulus intensity and monitoring the vagal compound action potential, contributions of the different compound action potential waves were then established. Activation of the B1-wave, which includes cardioinhibitory fiber activity, has its most prominent effect in the intermediate rostrocaudal zone of the dorsal motor nucleus in the region of subnucleus b. This is where the cells of origin of the vagal cardiac fibers have previously been anatomically localized. Single unit experiments then established that (a) vagal motoneurons with axonal conduction velocities in the cardioinhibitory fiber range (8.0–14.5 m/sec) are primarily localized to the intermediate rostrocaudal zone of the dorsal motor nucleus in the region of subnucleus b, and (b) motoneurons in this zone that conduct at 8.0–14.5 m/sec distribute their axons in the cardiac branches. Furthermore, no error is introduced by identifying such neurons with mid-cervical rather than mid-thoracic vagal stimulation. Thus, the following criteria establish a neuron as giving rise to a vagal cardioinhibitory fiber: (a) localizing it to the intermediate rostrocaudal zone of the dorsal motor nucleus on the basis of the field potential evoked by mid-cervical vagal stimulation; (b) antidromically activating it with mid-cervical vagal stimulation; and (c) demonstrating that its axon conducts at 8.0–14.5 m/sec.