On the barometric method for measurements of ventilation, and its use in small animals

• Published in: Canadian journal of physiology and pharmacology Vol. 76; no. 10-11; pp. 937 - 951
• Main Authors: MORTOLA, J. P, FRAPPELL, P. B
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Ottawa, ON National Research Council of Canada 01.10.1998; Canadian Science Publishing NRC Research Press
• Subjects: Air breathing; Animals; Biological and medical sciences; Fundamental and applied biological sciences. Psychology; Measurement techniques; Mice; Plethysmography, Whole Body - methods; Plethysmography, Whole Body - standards; Pulmonary Ventilation - physiology; Reproducibility of Results; Respiration; Respiratory system: anatomy, metabolism, gas exchange, ventilatory mechanics, respiratory hemodynamics; Tidal Volume - physiology; Vertebrates: respiratory system; Investigation method; Animal; Review; Pulmonary ventilation; Respiration; Respiratory system; Plethysmography
• ISSN: 0008-4212; 1205-7541
• DOI: 10.1139/cjpp-76-10-11-937

The barometric method is a common technique for measurements of pulmonary ventilation in unrestrained animals. It basically consists of recording the changes in chamber pressure generated during breathing. In fact, as the air inspired is warmed and humidified from the ambient to the pulmonary values, the total pressure in the animal chamber increases; the opposite occurs in expiration. The present commentary is an introduction to this method, briefly reviewing its historical development, the conceptual pitfalls, and potential sources of errors during practical applications.