Lung volumes after antigen infusion in the guinea pig in vivo: effects of vagal section

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Abstract
The effects of i.v. antigen infusion on lung volumes and quasistatic deflationary pulmonary compliance in guinea pigs previously sensitized to ovalbumin were studied by vivo. Ovalbumin infusion significantly increased minimal gas volume to a similar extent in animals with intact or cut vagi. Total lung capacity fell only in animals with intact vagi. Quasi-static compliance fell in both groups of animals, but the fall was significantly greater in animals with intact vagi. Immediate hypersensitivity reactions alter lung volumes and the elastic properties of the lung by vagal dependent and vagal independent mechanisms.