Effect of naloxone on ventilation in newborn rabbits.

Endorphins have been isolated from amniotic fluid and cord blood of mammals. To determine if these agents influence ventilation after birth, we measured ventilation (VE), tidal volume, inspiratory time, and respiratory frequency (f) in 19 rabbit pups before and after administration of naloxone (NLX), an endorphin antagonist. Tracheostomy and carotid artery cannulation were performed under light ether anesthesia. After 30-90 min for recovery the pups were placed in a body plethysmograph. Rectal temperature was kept at 37 +/- 0.5 degrees C. After 15 min of control measurements we infused saline, which had no respiratory effect. NLX (4 microgram/g) was then infused and measurements continued for 30 min. In 6 of 7 pups less than or equal to 4 days old, VE increased to 140-180% of control values and remained elevated for the remainder of the study period. Increased VE was due solely to increased f. By contrast, only 1 of 12 pups greater than or equal to 5 days old responded in this fashion. This difference was significant (P less than 0.005). Arterial blood gases were measured before and after NLX in 10 pups. In those pups who increased their ventilation after NLX, arterial CO2 tension fell and pH rose above pre-NLX values (P less than 0.05) for both variables). Blood gases of the group whose ventilation was uneffected remained unchanged. These results indicate that early in postnatal life endorphins probably modulate central respiratory drive in rabbits but that these agents become less important with maturation.