This experimental model allows investigation of trans-mucosal gas exchanges. These exchanges exhibit an absorptive function resulting in a negative pressure that must be compensated, under physiological conditions, by air flow through the ET.

Transmucosal CO(2) exchange in the middle ear (ME) of the New Zealand White rabbit (Oryctolagus cuniculus) was studied using an accurate novel detecting and recording system for measuring gas volume changes at constant pressure, based on a principle that was previously used by Kania et al. (Acta Otolaryngol 124:408-410, 2004). After the ME cavity was washed with ambient air, the initial diffusion rate of CO(2) (V(.-)(i)CO(2)) from the blood perfusing the ME mucosa was calculated from gas volume change measurements. In nine cases, the (V(.-)(i)CO(2))calculated after normalization due to shifts in baseline was 314+/-112 microL x h(-1) (mean +/- SD). In two cases where normalization was not needed, (V(.-)(i)CO(2)) was 409 microL x h(-1) (276 and 543 microL x h(-1)). Normalization of (V(.-)(i)CO(2)) data was also made in five additional cases where secretion of fluids from the lining of the ear canal was observed. In these cases (V(.-)(i)CO(2)) was 245 +/- 142 microL x h(-1). No differences were found between results obtained in the three groups. Thus, an overall mean value of (V(.-)(i)CO(2)) of 305 +/- 131 microL x h(-1) (n = 16) was calculated. An effective coefficient of conductance of CO(2) (G(CO(2))) between the mucosal circulation and the ME gas cavity of the New Zealand White rabbit was estimated to be approximately 0.05 microL (h x Pa)(-1) and compared to the G(CO(2)) estimated for humans in a different study.

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