Effects of hypoventilation on the cardiovascular responses of rats to adrenaline and acetylcholine.

Blood pressure and pulse rate in response to administered adrenaline and acetylcholine during hypoventilation were studied in urethane-anaesthetized rats. Hypoventilation was induced by decreasing the stroke volume of artificial ventilation from 1 ml/100 g to 0.3 ml/100 g. There was a significant rise in pulse rate accompanied by minimal changes in blood pressure during hypoventilation. The blood pressure and pulse rate in response to adrenaline were significantly reduced. The depressant effect of acetylcholine on pulse rate was intensified, but that on blood pressure was not significantly affected. These findings suggest that the compensatory cardiovascular reflexes may be impaired during hypoventilation.