Inspiratory resistive load detection in conscious dogs

The physiological mechanisms mediating the detection of mechanical loads are unknown. This is, in part, due to the lack of an animal model of load detection that could be used to investigate specific sensory systems. We used American Foxhounds with tracheal stomata to behaviorally condition the detection of inspiratory occlusion and graded resistive loads. The resistive loads were presented with a loading manifold connected to the inspiratory port of a non-rebreathing valve. The dogs signaled detection of the load by lifting their front paw off a lever. Inspiratory occlusion was used as the initial training stimulus, and the dogs could reliably respond within the first or second inspiratory effort to 100% of the occlusion presentations after 13 trials. Graded resistances that spanned the 50% detection threshold were then presented. The detection threshold resistances (delta R50) were 0.96 and 1.70 cmH2O.l-1.s. Ratios of delta R50 to background resistance were 0.15 and 0.30. The near-threshold resistive loads did not significantly change expired PCO2 or breathing patterns. These results demonstrate that dogs can be conditioned to reliably and specifically signal the detection of graded inspiratory mechanical loads. Inspiration through the tracheal stoma excludes afferents in the upper extrathoracic trachea, larynx, pharynx, nasal passages, and mouth from mediating load detection in these dogs. It is unknown which remaining afferents (vagal or respiratory muscle) are responsible for load detection.