Effect of altered ambient temperature on breathing in ponies

Abstract

The objective was to determine the effect of moderate changes in ambient temperature (TA) on breathing and body temperature in ponies chronically exposed to a TA of 21 degrees C in the summer and 5 degrees C in the winter. Normal (n = 6) and chronic carotid body-denervated (n = 6, 1–2 yr) ponies were studied during 1) winter months over 3–4 days at 5 (control TA) and 23 degrees C and 2) summer months over 2–4 days at 21 (control TA), 30, and 12 degrees C. Neither rectal nor arterial temperature changed with any alteration of TA (P greater than 0.10). Skin temperature (Tsk) always changed by 2–4 degrees C in the same direction as changes in TA (P less than 0.01), and Tsk was the only variable that differed between summer and winter control TA. While breathing room air 24–48 h after TA was altered, pulmonary ventilation (VE) and breathing frequency (f) were approximately 100 and 300%, respectively, above control with elevated TA and approximately 25–50% below control with reduced TA (P less than 0.01). Changes in f were closely related to changes in Tsk. Tidal volume (VT) changed inversely with changes in TA. Generally, while breathing room air, arterial PCO2 (Paco2) did not change from control during the first 48 h of altered TA. In studies when inspired CO2 was elevated VT increased by the same amount at all TA; f increased at low and control TA but decreased at elevated TA; and VE and Paco2 both increased relatively less at elevated TA, but the VE-Paco2 slope was independent of TA.