Loss of chemoreceptive properties of the rabbit carotid body after destruction of the glomus cells

Abstract

Glomus cells of the rabbit carotid body were destroyed by local freezing. Electrophysiological recording of baroreceptor afferent activities showed that carotid sinus nerve regeneration was completed after 3 months. Nevertheless, ventilatory reaction as well as chemoreceptor afferent activity were no longer observed in response to the usual stimuli of arterial chemoreceptors (O2 test, NaCN). Results support the view that glomus cells are necessary for chemoreception and question the specificity of their afferent innervation.