Pulmonary diffusion and capillary blood volume in dogs at rest and with exercise.

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Abstract
Much additional information about the behavior of the pulmonary capillary bed can be gained from measurements of breath-holding DL [breath-holding diffusing capacity for CO] in animals during studies that cannot be done in human subjects. For this purpose, a modification of the breath-holding technique was devised to provide reproducible results in dogs. The technique is easy to perform,permits complete and rapid inspiration and expiration with a variable inspiratory volume, and gives readily reproducible DL values in dogs. DL measurements made on the same day in each dog were very reproducible and the mean DL on one day was closely comparable to the mean DL for the same dog on another day. As in man, DL and Vc increased during exercise and to a comparable degree. This study demonstrates that cortical participation is not necessary for the increase in DL and vital capacity with exercise and that the increase is not prevented by anesthesia. This provides an experimental model for use in further attempts to define the factors that cause this reponse to exercise.