Changes in Respiratory CO2 Chemosensitivity Using Early- and Late-Stage Tadpoles

Abstract

Isolated tadpole brainstems provide a robust model for quantifying central respiratory CO2 chemosensitivity. Whole-nerve recordings were used to identify respiratory responses of early and late-stage tadpoles to different CO2 levels in order to characterize the sensitivity of different developmental stages to respiratory stimuli. Some significance has been determined when comparing baseline and individual treatment values; however, further research needs to be done in order to fully characterize the CO2 influence on respiration.