FLUCTUATIONS OF ARTERIAL pH ASSOCIATED WITH THE RESPIRATORY CYCLE IN DOGS

Abstract

Using the glass electrode assembly connected with the femoral artery in dogs, the cyclic fluctuation of pH of the circulating arterial blood was observed under varying rates and depths of respiration. The frequency of fluctuation coincided with the respiratory rate, and the size of fluctuation was magnified as respiratory frequency was decreased. When the breathing was increased in depth without changing the frequency by CO₂ inhalation, a smaller range of pH fluctuation was resulted.