US EPA

4469 

Journal Article 

Single-breath diffusing capacity and lung volumes in small laboratory mammals 

Takezawa, J; Miller, FJ; O'Neil, JJ 

1980 

Yes 

Journal of Applied Physiology (1985)
ISSN: 8750-7587
EISSN: 1522-1601 

48 

6 

1052-1059 

English 

7380702 

10.1152/jappl.1980.48.6.1052 

We measured the single-breath diffusing capacity for carbon monoxide (DLCO), total lung capacity (TLC), functional residual capacity (FRC), and residual volume (RV) in anesthetized male hamsters, rats, guinea pigs, and rabbits whose weights varied from 40 to 3,500 g. TLC (defined as an airway pressure of 25 cmH2O) was calculated by neon dilution. The DLCO was estimated by a modification of the single-breath method. There was a high correlation between body weight and our measurement of both the diffusing capacity and the lung volumes. No significant difference in DLCO was observed in rats when measured in different body positions, at airway pressures of 10 or 20 cmH2O, from FRC or RV, in male or female rats, or following hyperventilation.