Postnatal development of vagal control of breathing in the kitten.

At birth, the number of vagal myelinated fibers represents about 10% of the corresponding adult value. Their diameters range between 1 micron and 5 micron. The conduction velocities, calculated from the bimodal vagus nerve action potential, are 20 m.sec--1 (range 16--30 m.sec--1) and 6 m.sec--1 (range 1--10 m.sec--1) respectively. The discharge patterns of the vagal afferent units are similar to those described in adult cat for the various pulmonary mecano receptors. The proportion (9%) of low threshold broncho-pulmonary stretch receptors is smaller than that given by Paintal (1973) for the adult cat (50%). Nevertheless, the inhibitory action of the pulmonary stretch receptors is very potent at birth. Various experimental procedures (bivagotomy, vagal stimulation and lung deflation) which reinforce the central inspiratory activity in the adult cat provoke essentially a lengthening of expiration in the newborn. The predominance of expiratory activity can be seen as part of the general motor behaviour which in the newborn is essentially characterized by activation of flexor muscles.