Analysis of inhibitory effect of dopamine on carotid body chemoreceptors in cats

The inhibitory effect of dopamine on carotid body chemoreceptors was studied in anesthetized cats to determine whether it was dependent on changes in blood flow in the vicinity of the receptors. The blood supply to the carotid body was isolated, and flow was controlled with a perfusion pump. Single or few fiber recordings were made from the peripheral end of the cut carotid sinus nerve in seven cats. The rate of discharge of 68 chemoreceptor strands increased when flow through the carotid body was stopped. This response was reduced or abolished by dopamine in animals ventilated with either room air (15 strands) or a gas mixture of 95% O₂ and 5% CO₂ (53 strands). These results suggest that dopamine exerts its inhibitory effect primarily through a direct action on the chemoreceptors rather than by a vasomotor effect in the carotid body.