Comparison of ultradian and circadian oscillations of carbon dioxide production by various endotherms.

Carbon dioxide emission (VCO2) was computed every 20 min from continuous CO2 concentration recordings taken during 3-30 consecutive days, in strictly controlled environmental conditions, in 54 OF1 mice, 99 Japanese quail, 66 Sprague-Dawley rats, 50 Hartley guinea pigs, 7 chicks, for 7-15 days on 2 Cynomolgus monkeys, and for 24 h on 7 premature infants. This VCO2 shows circadian and ultradian oscillations that were analyzed for frequencies and amplitudes in light-dark 12-h alternation (LD 12:12), continuous light (LL), and continuous dark (DD). Circadians were not always identified or were often masked in LL or DD (mostly in guinea pigs, quail, and rats), while ultradians (tau > or = 40 min) were found in all species, at every time, and in all light regimens. Analysis of variance and chi 2 show significant (P < 0.001) interspecies differences for ultradian (1.07 < tau < 1.40 h) intervals and for circadian and ultradian VCO2 amplitudes. Relationships between ultradian and circadian VCO2 oscillations differ according to the species, ultradians appearing as an entity characteristic for each endotherm species.