Reactions of hedgehogs, hibernating and non-hibernating, to the inhalation of oxygen, carbon dioxide and nitrogen.

Abstract

Summary.Hibernating and non‐hibernating hedgehogs were exposed to pure nitrogen an various mixtures of carbon dioxide and oxygen. Respectively. Temperature, respiratory rate, Heart rate and elec‐trocardiograpliic details were examined.Anoxia was tolerated by the hibernating hedgehogs for one to two hours. By the non‐hibernating animals for three to five minutes. Hibernating hedgehogs reacted upon prolonged anoxia with a, de crease in heart and respiratory rate. P—R and QRS duration increased, while Q—T was unchanged. In non‐hibernating animals respiratory and heart rates rapidly decreased. P—R and QRS did not change. while Q T decreased. In both groups the QRS‐amplitude decreased.Inhalation of 3 % carbon dioxide in oxygen resulted in no significant increase in respiratory rate, whereas 6 % and 9.5 % carbon dioxide provoked an increase in respiratory and heart rate with no consistent changes of the electrocardiogram, in both groups. The increase in respiratory ratc in non‐hibernating animals was somewhat greater than in guinea‐pigs, and in hibernating ones somewhat lower.,