High frequency differences between high and low voltage electrocorticograms in the ovine fetus

Dawes (1986) has stated that, "The difference between high and low voltage activity depends solely on the presence in the latter of higher amplitude oscillations with relatively low frequency superimposed on the low voltage components as shown by spectral analysis". We have tested the constancy of the high frequency section of the power spectrum of the electrocorticogram in 7 near-term sheep fetuses. Under sterile conditions we implanted biparietal electrodes in the dura and a ground lead subcutaneously on the scalp. Five days after the surgery, with the animal standing quietly in the laboratory, we acquired the fetal electrocorticograms. Data were acquired during several high and low voltage electrocorticographic cycles in each animal. Two hundred power spectra were obtained during high and low voltage fetal electrocortical activity and statistically analyzed by paired t-test to discern differences in power between the high and low voltage pattern at each frequency (n = 7). We found that at all frequencies between 4 and 12 cycles/s the high voltage electrocorticogram had significantly more power than the low voltage electrocorticogram (P less than 0.05). This is in accordance with the established literature. We also observed that from 17 through 24 cycles/s the low voltage electrocorticogram is significantly higher than the high voltage electrocorticogram (P less than 0.05). In this frequency range the power of the high voltage expressed as a percentage of the power of the low voltage were respectively, 80, 74, 71, 66, 64, 64, 67, 64. These differences are of considerable magnitude and may be physiologically important.