Emergence of the Pre-Botzinger Respiratory Rhythm Generator in the Mouse Embryo

1. J Neurosci. 2005 Apr 27;25(17):4307-18.

Emergence of the pre-Bötzinger respiratory rhythm generator in the mouse embryo.

Thoby-Brisson M(1), Trinh JB, Champagnat J, Fortin G.

Author information:
(1)Laboratoire de Neurobiologie Génétique et Intégrative, Institut Alfred
Fessard, Centre National de la Recherche Scientifique, 91198 Gif sur Yvette,
France.

To obtain insights into the emergence of rhythmogenic circuits supporting
respiration, we monitored spontaneous activities in isolated brainstem and
medullary transverse slice preparations of mouse embryos, combining
electrophysiological and calcium imaging techniques. At embryonic day 15 (E15),
in a restricted region ventral to the nucleus ambiguus, we observed the onset of
a sustained high-frequency (HF) respiratory-like activity in addition to a
preexisting low-frequency activity having a distinct initiation site, spatial
extension, and susceptibility to gap junction blockers. At the time of its onset,
the HF generator starts to express the neurokinin 1 receptor, is connected
bilaterally, requires active AMPA/kainate glutamatergic synapses, and is
modulated by substance P and the mu-opioid agonist
D-Ala2-N-Me-Phe4-Glycol5-enkephalin. We conclude that a rhythm generator sharing
the properties of the neonatal pre-Bötzinger complex becomes active during E15 in
mice.

DOI: 10.1523/JNEUROSCI.0551-05.2005
PMCID: PMC6725099
PMID: 15858057 [Indexed for MEDLINE]

Auteurs Bordeaux Neurocampus