Skip to main content
SpringerLink
Log in

Oxygen Sensing by Arterial Chemoreceptors

  • Chapter
Response and Adaptation to Hypoxia

Part of the book series: Clinical Physiology Series ((CLINPHY))

Abstract

The physiology of arterial chemoreceptors, as well as other aspects relating to them, has been presented relatively recently in an authoritative review by Eyzaguirre et al. (11). This chapter reveals that from the very beginning, arterial chemoreceptors have been believed to detect the chemical composition of the blood, specifically the partial pressure of oxygen in the blood and also possibly the partial pressure of carbon dioxide. The oxygen content of the blood was ruled out as an important factor because Comroe and Schmidt (8) found that these chemoreceptors were apparently not stimulated when the oxygen content of the blood was reduced. From this finding, it followed that the dissolved oxygen in the plasma was enough for their metabolic needs (8). A few years later, Landgren and Neil (26) showed that the carotid chemoreceptors were also markedly stimulated after hemorrhage. Neil (32) advanced the view that stagnation led to the accumulation of some excitatory substance (metabolites) that constituted the excitatory substance of the chemoreceptors. The local concentration of the metabolite that constituted the stimulus for the chemoreceptors determined the degree of stimulation of these chemoreceptors. This concentration depended on the level of oxygen tension in the blood and the rate at which it was removed from the blood circulating through the sinusoids (32). Then came the classic paper by Daly et al. (9) showing that the oxygen consumption by the carotid body was not small, as assumed, but very large—even greater than that of the cerebral cortex—and that the blood flow through the carotid body was also large. This was consistent with its large rate of oxygen consumption. These two new findings should have resulted in the revision of the metabolite hypothesis; but, possibly, this was not done because just 2 years earlier Duke et al. (10) had shown that the chemoreceptors were not stimulated by reducing the oxygen content to as low as 25% of normal by administering carbon monoxide (CO), an observation that they felt was consistent with the earlier views of Comroe and Schmidt (8).

This is a preview of subscription content, log in via an institution to check access.

Access this chapter

Log in via an institution
Chapter
USD 29.95
Price excludes VAT (USA)
  • Available as PDF
  • Read on any device
  • Instant download
  • Own it forever
eBook
USD 89.99
Price excludes VAT (USA)
  • Available as PDF
  • Read on any device
  • Instant download
  • Own it forever

Tax calculation will be finalised at checkout

Purchases are for personal use only

Institutional subscriptions

Preview

Unable to display preview. Download preview PDF.

Unable to display preview. Download preview PDF.

References

  1. Acker, H., D. W. Lubbers, And M. J. Purves. Local oxygen tension field in the glomus caroticum of the cat and its change at changing arterial Poe. Pflugers Arch. ges Physiol 329: 136–155, 1971.

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  2. Adrian, E. D. Afferent impulses in the vagus and their effect on respiration. J. Physiol. (London) 79: 332–358, 1933.

    CAS  Google Scholar 

  3. Anand, A. Reflex stimulation of aortic chemoreceptors and the role of vascular receptors. Respir. Physiol. 38: 59–69, 1979.

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  4. Anand, A., A. Iggo, And A. S. Paintal. Lability of granular vesicles in Merkel cells of the type I slowly adapting cutaneous receptors. J. Physiol. (London) 296: 19P, 1979.

    CAS  Google Scholar 

  5. Anand, A., And A. S. Paintal. The influence of the sympathetic outflow on aortic chemoreceptors of the cat during hypoxia and hypercapnia. J. Physiol. (London) 395: 215231, 1988.

    Google Scholar 

  6. Biscoe, T. J., G. W. Bradley, And M. J. Purves. The relation between carotid body chemoreceptor discharge, carotid sinus pressure and carotid body venous flow. J. Physiol. (London) 208: 99–120, 1970.

    CAS  Google Scholar 

  7. Cater, D. B., D. W. Hill, P. J. Lindop, J. F. Nunn, And I. A. Silver. Oxygen washout studies in the anesthetized dog. J. Appl. Physiol. 18: 888–894, 1963.

    PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  8. Comroe, J. H. JR., And C. F. Schmidt. The part played by reflexes from the carotid body in the chemical regulation of respiration in the dog. Am. J. Physiol. 121: 75–97, 1938.

    CAS  Google Scholar 

  9. Daly, M. DE Burgh, C. J. Lambertsen, And A. Schweitzer. Observations on the volume of blood flow and oxygen utilization of the carotid body in the cat. J. Physiol. (London) 125: 67–89, 1954.

    Google Scholar 

  10. Duke, H. N., J. H. Green, And E. Neil. Carotid chemoreceptor impulse activity during inhalation of carbon monoxide mixtures. J. Physiol. (London) 118: 520–527, 1952.

    CAS  Google Scholar 

  11. Eyzaguirre, C., R. S. Fitzgerald, S. Lahiri, And P. Zapata. Arterial chemoreceptors. In: Handbook of Physiology. The Cardiovascular System Iii. Peripheral Circulation and Organ Blood Flow, Part 2., ed. J. T. Shepherd and F. M. Abboud. Baltimore: Williams, and Wilkins, 1983, pp. 557–621.

    Google Scholar 

  12. Eyzaguirre, C., And A. Gallego. An examination of de Castro’s original slides. In: The Peripheral Arterial Chemoreceptors, ed. M. J. Purves. London: Cambridge Univ. Press, 1975, pp. 1–23.

    Google Scholar 

  13. Eyzaguirre, C., H. Koyano, And J. R. Taylor. Presence of acetylcholine and transmitter release from carotid body chemoreceptors. J. Physiol. (London) 78: 463–476, 1965.

    Google Scholar 

  14. Eyzaguirre, C., And J. Lewin. Effect of different oxygen tensions on the carotid body in nitro. J. Physiol. (London) 159: 238–250, 1961.

    CAS  Google Scholar 

  15. Eyzaguirre, C., And K. Uchizono. Observations on the fibre content of nerves reaching the carotid body of the cat. J. Physiol. (London) 159: 268–281, 1961.

    CAS  Google Scholar 

  16. Fay, F. S. Oxygen consumption of the carotid body. Am. J. Physiol. 218: 518–523, 1970.

    Google Scholar 

  17. Fidone, S. J., And A. Sato. A study of chemoreceptor and baroreceptor A and C-fibers in the cat carotid nerve. J. Physiol. (London) 205: 527–548, 1969.

    CAS  Google Scholar 

  18. Fitzgerald, R. S., And G. A. Dehghani. Neural responses of the cat carotid and aortic bodies to hypercapnia and hypoxia. J. Appl. Physiol. 52: 596–601, 1982.

    PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  19. Gallego, R., And C. Belmonte. Chemoreceptor and baroreceptor neurones in the petrosal ganglion. In: The Peripheral Arterial Chemoreceptors, ed. D. J. Pallot. London: Croom Helm, 1984, pp. 1–7.

    Google Scholar 

  20. Gray, J. A. B. Mechanical into electrical energy in certain mechanoreceptors. Prog. Biophys. Biophys. Chem. 9: 285–324, 1959.

    Google Scholar 

  21. Katz, B. Depolarization of sensory terminals and the initiation of impulses in the muscle spindle. J. Physiol. (London) 111: 261–282, 1950.

    CAS  Google Scholar 

  22. Kirkwood, P. A., N. Nisimaru, And T. A. Sears. Carotid sinus nerve afferent discharges in the anesthetized cat. J. Physiol. (London) 360: 44P, 1985.

    Google Scholar 

  23. Lahiri, S. Role of arterial 02 flow in peripheral chemoreceptor excitation. Federation Proc. 39: 2648–2652, 1980.

    CAS  Google Scholar 

  24. Lahiri, S., E. Mulligan, T. Nishino, And A. MoKashi. Aortic body chemoreceptor responses to changes in Pco2 and Poe in cat. J. Appl. Physiol. 47: 858–866, 1979.

    PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  25. Lahiri, S., T. Nishino, A. MoKashi, And E. Mulligan. Relative responses of aortic body and carotid body chemoreceptors to hypotension. J. Appl. Physiol. 48: 781–788, 1980.

    CAS  Google Scholar 

  26. Landgren, S., And E. Neil. Chemoreceptor impulse activity following hemorrhage. Acta Physiol. Scand. 23: 158–167, 1951.

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  27. Lee, K. D., R. A. Mayou, And R. W. Torrance. The effect of blood pressure upon chemoreceptor discharge to hypoxia, and the modification of this effect by the sympathetic-adrenal system. Quart. J. Exper. Physiol. 49: 171–183, 1964.

    CAS  Google Scholar 

  28. Mathews, P. B. C. Mammalian Muscle Receptors and Their Central Actions. London: Edward Arnold, 1972.

    Google Scholar 

  29. Mills, E. Activity of aortic chemoreceptors during electrical stimulation of the stellate ganglion in the cat. J. Physiol. (London) 199: 103–114, 1968.

    CAS  Google Scholar 

  30. Mills, E., And M. W. Edwards. Stimulation of aortic and carotid chemoreceptors during carbon monoxide inhalation. J. Appl. Physiol. 25: 494–502, 1968.

    PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  31. Mitchell, J. H., And D. I. Mccloskey. Chemoreceptor responses to sympathetic stimulation and changes in blood pressure. Respir. Physiol. 20: 297–302, 1974.

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  32. Neil, E. Chemoreceptor areas and chemoreceptor circulatory reflexes. Acta Physiol. Scand. 22: 54–65, 1951.

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  33. Paintal, A. S. Effects of drugs on vertebrate mechanoreceptors. Pharmacol. Rev. 16: 36 1380, 1964.

    Google Scholar 

  34. Paintal, A. S. Mechanism of stimulation of aortic chemoreceptors by natural stimuli and chemical substances. J. Physiol. (London) 189: 63–84, 1967.

    CAS  Google Scholar 

  35. Paintal, A. S. Some considerations relating to studies on chemoreceptor responses. In: Arterial Chemoreceptors, ed. R. W. Torrance. Oxford: Blackwell, 1968, pp. 253–260.

    Google Scholar 

  36. Paintal, A. S. Further evidence that acetylcholine is not a transmitter at chemoreceptors. J. Physiol. (London) 204: 94–95, 1969.

    Google Scholar 

  37. Paintal, A. S. The responses of chemoreceptors at reduced temperatures. J. Physiol. (London) 217: 1–18, 1971.

    CAS  Google Scholar 

  38. Paintal, A. S. Action of drugs on sensory nerve endings. Rev. Pharmacol. 11: 231–240, 1971.

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  39. Paintal, A. S. Vagal sensory receptors and their reflex effects. Physiol Rev. 53: 159–227, 1973.

    PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  40. Paintal, A. S. Natural and paranatural stimulation of sensory receptors. In: Sensory Functions of the Skin, ed. Y. Zotterman. Oxford: Pergamon Press, 1976, pp. 3–12.

    Google Scholar 

  41. Paintal, A. S. Mechanical transmission of sensory information at chemoreceptors. In: Morphology and Mechanisms of Chemoreceptors, ed. A. S. Paintal. Delhi: V. P. Chest Inst., 1976, pp. 121–129.

    Google Scholar 

  42. Paintal, A. S. The effect of reduction of temperature on the responses of aortic chemoreceptors during administration of carbon monoxide. In: Morphology and Mechanisms of Chemoreceptors, ed. A. S. Paintal. Delhi: V. P. Chest Inst., 1976, pp. 335–339.

    Google Scholar 

  43. Paintal, A. S. A functional estimate of the local Poe at aortic chemoreceptors. In: Chemoreception in the Carotid Body, ed. H. Acker, S. Fidone, D. Pallot, C. Eyzaguirre, D. W. Lubbers, and R. W. Torrance. Berlin: Springer-Verlag, 1977, pp. 250–255.

    Chapter  Google Scholar 

  44. Paintal, A. S. The responses of chemoreceptors with medullated and non-medullated fibres to chemical substances and the mechanical hypothesis. Prog. Brain Res. 74: 161–168, 1988.

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  45. Paintal, A. S., And R. L. Riley. Responses of aortic chemoreceptors. J. Appl. Physiol. 21: 543–548, 1966.

    PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  46. Purves, M. J. The effect of hypoxia, hypercapnia and hypotension upon carotid body blood flow and oxygen consumption in the cat. J. Physiol. (London) 209: 395–416, 1970.

    CAS  Google Scholar 

  47. Sampson, S. R., And R. Hainsworth. Responses of aortic body chemoreceptors of the cat to physiological stimuli. Am. J. Physiol. 222: 953–958, 1972.

    PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  48. Torrance, R. W. Arterial Chemoreceptors. Oxford: Blackwell Scientific Publ., 1968.

    Google Scholar 

  49. Whalen, W. J., And P. Nair. Some factors affecting tissue Poe in the carotid body. J. Appl. Physiol. 39: 562–566, 1975.

    PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  50. Whalen, W. J., And P. Nair. Factors affecting the tissue Poe in the carotid body. In: Morphology and Mechanisms of Chemoreceptors, ed. A. S. Paintal. Delhi: V. P. Chest Inst., 1976, pp. 91–100.

    Google Scholar 

Download references

Authors
  1. Ashima Anand
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  2. A. S. Paintal
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

Editor information

Editors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Physiology, School of Medicine, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, USA

    Sukhamay Lahiri

  2. Department of Medicine, Case Western Reserve University and University Hospitals of Cleveland, Cleveland, Ohio, USA

    Neil S. Cherniack

  3. Departments of Environmental Health, Sciences and of Physiology, The Johns Hopkins Medical Institutions, Baltimore, Maryland, USA

    Robert S. Fitzgerald

Rights and permissions

Reprints and permissions

Copyright information

© 1991 American Physiological Society

About this chapter

Cite this chapter

Anand, A., Paintal, A.S. (1991). Oxygen Sensing by Arterial Chemoreceptors. In: Lahiri, S., Cherniack, N.S., Fitzgerald, R.S. (eds) Response and Adaptation to Hypoxia. Clinical Physiology Series. Springer, New York, NY. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-1-4614-7574-3_8

Download citation

  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/978-1-4614-7574-3_8

  • Publisher Name: Springer, New York, NY

  • Online ISBN: 978-1-4614-7574-3

  • eBook Packages: Springer Book Archive

Publish with us

Policies and ethics

Search

Navigation