Normoxic and hypoxic breathing pattern in newborn grey seals

摘要: We studied the breathing patterns of three newborn grey seals (Halichoerus grypus) at 2 – 3 days age under normoxic and hypoxic conditions with barometric technique, which does not require animal to be restrained. Normoxic tidal volume was deeper rate slower than expected for newborns this size on basis previously published allometric relationships. In addition, two characteristics were readily apparent: (i) occasional sudden long apneas, often exceeding 30 s in duration, (ii) consistent brief interruptions expiratory flow. Neither aspect is common terrestrial age, but both have been observed adult seals. During hypoxia (10 min 15% O2 10 min 10% O2), ventilation increased markedly steadily, variance what occurs other species, indicating a precocial development regulation breathing. This latter result also suggests that blunted response reported seals...